India Debates: Can the 3rd front avoid the mistakes of 1977, 1989, and 1996 ?

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• published: 26 Feb 2014
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Mentored by leaders of the Left and regional parties, a non-Congress and non-BJP front took shape on Tuesday but was immediately hit by controversy as two of its 11 constituents - Biju Janata Dal and Asom Gana Parishad - were conspicuously absent. While the front sought to announce itself by adopting a four-point agenda that includes combating corruption and communalism, the gaps in its ranks attracted more attention as both BJD and AGP are seen to be important parties in the Third Front scheme. CPM leader Prakash Karat said BJD chief Naveen Patnaik had prior engagements and AGP leader Prafulla Mahanta is attending to his ill mother, but could not shake off the uncertainty. On Aam Admi Party, Karat sounded cool, saying the outfit seemed to believe it is the only anti-establishment force in the country. He also dodged questions about a PM nominee, saying the matter would be settled after elections. However, speaking to the media in Bhubaneswar, Patnaik seemed to distance himself from a Third Front that he has backed in the past when he said, "I think the movement (third front) is still in its early days. I had said this earlier." For More information on this news visit : http://www.newsx.com/ Connect with us on Social platform at : http://www.facebook.com/newsxonline Subscribe to our YouTube Channel : http://www.youtube.com/newsxlive