New Delhi, May 12: Amidst initiatives to form a non-NDA government at the Centre following Andhra Pradesh results, former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda today met veteran CPM leader Harkishen Singh Surjeet.
Talking to newspersons here, Deve Gowda expressed concern over the Secular Fronts’ attitude. He said the its was not even ready to hold talks with parties on whom it is now banking upon.
Though it is premature to say as to how many seats Deve Gowda’s party would win, but the former Prime Minister said that JD(S) would play a significant role in formation of any non-NDA government at the Centre.
Meanwhile, CPM leader Surjeet’s efforts to unite Congress and non-NDA parties received a jolt as Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav refused to accept Sonia Gandhi as the leader of the new alliance.
Amidst speculation that NDA will fail to achieve the magic figure of 272, hectic backdoor lobbying has started here. In one such initiative, NDA convenor George Fernandes has reportedly started negotiations with his old friends.
Down south, DMK-Congress alliance partner PMK poured cold water over BJP’s hopes of it joining the alliance. It clearly stated that it would not join NDA.
Bureau Report