Patna\Munger\Bhagalpur : The third front is all set to play spoiler for the two bigger fronts contesting for the throne of Patliputra. In fact, it is generally accepted in discussions in the populous state that the damage inflicted by the third front on the Grand Alliance (JDU-RJD-Congress) would be much higher, compared with that on the NDA.
However, third front leaders are hoping against hope that they would emerge more than just spoilers in this crucially contested election. While it may not be a do or die battle for the NCP or SP, it could definitely make or mar the political career of Pappu Yadav.
The third front emerged in this election quite suddenly after Samajwadi Party walked out of the Grand Alliance against the paltry number of seats given to them. NCP leader Tariq Anwar had already quit the alliance on the same ground. Meanwhile, Pappu Yadav launched his Jan Adhikar Party to take on Lalu Prasad in the Yadav strongholds of the Kosi region. The three came together to form what is now the third front in Bihar polls.
When asked to spell out the strategy of the motley group, Pappu Yadav appears both ambitious and cynical at the same time. He agrees that it is challenging for him and other leaders to take on the two major alliances but claims people have started seeing through the falsehoods and unkempt promises of Lalu, Nitish and even Narendra Modi.
Laluji is claiming this would be a vote for Mandal. Who is he trying to fool? In all these 25 years barely 6 percent of Mandal quota has been honoured, including in the 15 year Lalu-Rabri regime. Nitishji is now raising the bogey of Bihari pride…where was his pride when our brothers were being harassed and driven out from Maharashtra, he mocks at the chief minister.
However, to quell all speculation that the third front is actually acting as a ‘front’ for NDA, Yadav makes it a point to criticize Narendra Modi in the same breath. Modiji has not given anything. Just announcements, ‘‘let him first disburse the package he announced for Kashmiris.’’
When pointed out that all Biharis think his front would eventually benefit the BJP, Pappu Yadav snaps back saying ‘‘Can anybody think Mulayam Singh would agree to help Modi, can Sharad Pawar ever do that?’’
