DMK chief MK Stalin today said that he "doesn't see a chance" for a Third Front, in a setback for Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao who has been exploring the possibility of a non-BJP, non-Congress arrangement at the centre after the national elections. Mr Stalin, who met Mr Rao - or KCR as he is popularly known - yesterday, described the meeting as a "courtesy call", saying alliances weren't discussed at the meeting.

Stalin pours cold water on KCR plans; says, ''Don't see chance for third front"

Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao met with his Odisha counterpart Naveen Patnaik on Sunday hinting at commencing the talks for the formation of a 'third front'&nbsp;in the country.

After the meeting, Telangana chief minister K Chandrashekar Rao said that the two leaders have initiated talks (that needs to be carried forward) to bring in a change in the country.

He also added that the regional parties need to unite as the country needs a strong alternative to Congress and BJP.

"Country needs a change for which dialogue has begun, we are doing our part but nothing concrete has emerged. We have just begun the dialogue; we will meet again to discuss how to take things forward", KCR said.

"We need to talk to more people across the nation. There is a dire need for the unification of regional parties as there is a strong need for an alternative to Congress and BJP, " he added.

Speaking after the meeting Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik said, "We discussed several things including friendship of like-minded parties. We have not thought that (Parliament elections) far. He came to Odisha to offer thanks to Lord Jagannath for his tremendous victory".&nbsp;

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Telangana CM K Chandrashekar Rao is on a four-day visit to meet various political leaders to garner support for his proposed non-BJP and non-Congress front ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha polls.

(With inputs from agencies)

Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao met with his Odisha counterpart Naveen Patnaik on Sunday hinting at commencing the talks for the formation of a 'third front' in the country.

Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao met with his Odisha counterpart Naveen Patnaik on Sunday hinting at commencing the talks for the formation of a 'third front' in the country. After the meeting, Telangana chief minister K Chandrashekar Rao said that the two leaders have initiated talks (that needs to be carried forward) to bring in a change in the country. He also added that the regional parties need to unite as the country needs a strong alternative to Congress and BJP. "Country needs a change for which dialogue has begun, we are doing our part but nothing concrete has emerged. We have just begun the dialogue; we will meet again to discuss how to take things forward", KCR said. "We need to talk to more people across the nation. There is a dire need for the unification of regional parties as there is a strong need for an alternative to Congress and BJP, " he added. Speaking after the meeting Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik said, "We discussed several things including friendship of like-minded parties. We have not thought that (Parliament elections) far. He came to Odisha to offer thanks to Lord Jagannath for his tremendous victory". Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik after meeting with Telangana CM K Chandrashekar Rao: We discussed several things including friendship of like-minded parties. We’ve not thought that (Parliament elections) far. He came to Odisha to offer thanks to Lord Jagannath for his tremendous victory pic.twitter.com/t2dbIzhHSc — ANI (@ANI) December 23, 2018 × Telangana CM K Chandrashekar Rao after meeting with Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik: We need to talk to more people across the nation. There’s a dire need for the unification of regional parties as there’s a strong need for an alternative to Congress and BJP. pic.twitter.com/eQWw21lsWC — ANI (@ANI) December 23, 2018 × Telangana CM K Chandrashekar Rao is on a four-day visit to meet various political leaders to garner support for his proposed non-BJP and non-Congress front ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha polls. (With inputs from agencies)

Initiated talks to bring change in country: KCR after meeting Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik

After Mamata Banerjee, another Opposition's warrior has stepped up&nbsp;efforts to unite anti-BJP forces ahead of Lok Sabha elections 2019.

Over the past few weeks, Naidu met several opposition leaders and gave some brazen statements against the ruling party. He said that it's the responsibility of opposition leaders to defeat the BJP in 2019 Lok Sabha elections and save the democracy.

Most importantly, Naidu dropped his 'non-Congress Third Front' plank and met party president Rahul Gandhi. Both the leaders stressed on the need for Opposition unity to save the nation. They maintained it's a democratic compulsion for the TDP and Congress to come together setting aside their differences.

Furthermore, Naidu also met West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee, National Conference chief Farooq Abdullah, NCP chief Sharad Pawar, former prime minister HD Deve Gowda, his son and chief minister of Karnataka HD Kumaraswamy and DMK chief MK Stalin to put up united face against the BJP.

Asserting that the nation is under threat, the TDP chief has convened a meeting of the Opposition leaders in December to discuss future strategies to defeat the BJP in 2019 elections.

Naidu had pulled out of the NDA in March this year over the Centre's refusal to grant special status to Andhra Pradesh.

A few days ago, Mamata Banerjee was running from pillar to post to unite the opposition, but now Chandrababu Naidu is racing ahead of her. However, they both are in sync with each other to achieve their common goal - demolishing BJP.

The two interlocutors - Naidu and Mamata, have been trying to stitch an anti-BJP alliance for quite some time now. They have made communalism, attack on institutions like RBI, CBI and economic crisis under the NDA-rule as main grounds to garner the support of the Opposition parties.&nbsp;

The 'Third Front' could be a definite possibility in 2019 Lok Sabha elections and several state elections prove it quite clearly. In Uttar Pradesh bypolls, Samajwadi Party, backed by the BSP, defeated the BJP in Phulpur and Gorakhpur constituency. &nbsp;

In 2018 Karnataka Assembly elections, the Saffron party met a similar fate when Congress and JD(S) formed a coalition government in the state despite BJP emerging as the single largest party.&nbsp;

Moreover, in the recent Karnataka bypolls, the ruling coalition - JDS-Congress stunned BJP by winning both the Assembly seats and two of the three Lok Sabha seats. This came as a morale booster for the Opposition in the run-up to 2019 Assembly elections.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, in another significant development, PDP, with the support of Congress and National Conference, has staked claim to form the government in Jammu and Kashmir. This is an important realignment of political forces in the state wherein NC and PDP have set aside their rivalry to take on the BJP.

It seems there is no competition among the opposition leaders for declaring the face of Opposition (at least for now). Acting wisely, Naidu has chosen to go along with Mamata Banerjee on this, and after a round of talks both the leaders announced - "Everyone will be the face of Mahagathbandhan."

Senior Opposition leaders like Sharad Pawar, Farooq Abdullah have authorised Naidu to speak to various state leaders to bring all anti-BJP forces together. The TDP chief has reportedly assured them of convincing Akhilesh Yadav and Mayawati to become part of the 'Grand Secular Alliance' against the saffron party.

Currently, there is no credible alternative leader to lead the pack of anti-BJP forces. With major Opposition parties singing in chorus against the BJP, 'Third Front' is no more a distant dream.&nbsp; 
 
(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

After Mamata Banerjee, another Opposition's warrior has stepped up efforts to unite anti-BJP forces ahead of Lok Sabha elections 2019. Over the past few weeks, Naidu met several opposition leaders and gave some brazen statements against the ruling party.

After Mamata Banerjee, another Opposition's warrior has stepped up efforts to unite anti-BJP forces ahead of Lok Sabha elections 2019. Over the past few weeks, Naidu met several opposition leaders and gave some brazen statements against the ruling party. He said that it's the responsibility of opposition leaders to defeat the BJP in 2019 Lok Sabha elections and save the democracy. Most importantly, Naidu dropped his 'non-Congress Third Front' plank and met party president Rahul Gandhi. Both the leaders stressed on the need for Opposition unity to save the nation. They maintained it's a democratic compulsion for the TDP and Congress to come together setting aside their differences. Furthermore, Naidu also met West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee, National Conference chief Farooq Abdullah, NCP chief Sharad Pawar, former prime minister HD Deve Gowda, his son and chief minister of Karnataka HD Kumaraswamy and DMK chief MK Stalin to put up united face against the BJP. Asserting that the nation is under threat, the TDP chief has convened a meeting of the Opposition leaders in December to discuss future strategies to defeat the BJP in 2019 elections. Naidu had pulled out of the NDA in March this year over the Centre's refusal to grant special status to Andhra Pradesh. A few days ago, Mamata Banerjee was running from pillar to post to unite the opposition, but now Chandrababu Naidu is racing ahead of her. However, they both are in sync with each other to achieve their common goal - demolishing BJP. The two interlocutors - Naidu and Mamata, have been trying to stitch an anti-BJP alliance for quite some time now. They have made communalism, attack on institutions like RBI, CBI and economic crisis under the NDA-rule as main grounds to garner the support of the Opposition parties. The 'Third Front' could be a definite possibility in 2019 Lok Sabha elections and several state elections prove it quite clearly. In Uttar Pradesh bypolls, Samajwadi Party, backed by the BSP, defeated the BJP in Phulpur and Gorakhpur constituency. In 2018 Karnataka Assembly elections, the Saffron party met a similar fate when Congress and JD(S) formed a coalition government in the state despite BJP emerging as the single largest party. Moreover, in the recent Karnataka bypolls, the ruling coalition - JDS-Congress stunned BJP by winning both the Assembly seats and two of the three Lok Sabha seats. This came as a morale booster for the Opposition in the run-up to 2019 Assembly elections. Meanwhile, in another significant development, PDP, with the support of Congress and National Conference, has staked claim to form the government in Jammu and Kashmir. This is an important realignment of political forces in the state wherein NC and PDP have set aside their rivalry to take on the BJP. It seems there is no competition among the opposition leaders for declaring the face of Opposition (at least for now). Acting wisely, Naidu has chosen to go along with Mamata Banerjee on this, and after a round of talks both the leaders announced - "Everyone will be the face of Mahagathbandhan." Senior Opposition leaders like Sharad Pawar, Farooq Abdullah have authorised Naidu to speak to various state leaders to bring all anti-BJP forces together. The TDP chief has reportedly assured them of convincing Akhilesh Yadav and Mayawati to become part of the 'Grand Secular Alliance' against the saffron party. Currently, there is no credible alternative leader to lead the pack of anti-BJP forces. With major Opposition parties singing in chorus against the BJP, 'Third Front' is no more a distant dream. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Chandrababu Naidu - Opposition's trump card to unite anti-BJP forces

Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao met with the DMK president M Karunanidhi at his residence on Sunday. He also dined with MK Stalin, the working president of the party.&nbsp;

The leaders also had a telephonic conversation with Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee.

Calling Karunanidhi as "the tallest leader of the country" he said he was lucky to have his blessings.

The meeting is seen as an attempt made by the&nbsp;Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) supremo to stitch a coalition against the BJP, ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.

K Chandrasekhar Rao&nbsp;also discussed his plans for meeting Andhra Pradesh chief minister Chandrababu Naidu and Samajwadi party chief Akhilesh Yadav, reports said.

However, the TRS chief denied any idea of " third front", reports said.&nbsp;

He said he did not aim to bring in some kind of "third front" and the idea of "third front"&nbsp;had been created by the media. He added that their party has not proposed any such idea. He further said that the alliance was an alignment of farmers and India's youth and not political parties.

He also said that the decision of the parties who would join the alliance would be taken in future.&nbsp;

Earlier, the Telangana chief minister had met with the West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. Their meeting was seen as an effort to build a non-Congress, non-BJP federal front.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

 
&nbsp;

K Chandrasekhar Rao also discussed his plans for meeting Telugu Desam Party chief and Andhra Pradesh chief minister Chandrababu Naidu

Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao met with the DMK president M Karunanidhi at his residence on Sunday. He also dined with MK Stalin, the working president of the party. The leaders also had a telephonic conversation with Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee. Calling Karunanidhi as "the tallest leader of the country" he said he was lucky to have his blessings. The meeting is seen as an attempt made by the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) supremo to stitch a coalition against the BJP, ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. K Chandrasekhar Rao also discussed his plans for meeting Andhra Pradesh chief minister Chandrababu Naidu and Samajwadi party chief Akhilesh Yadav, reports said. However, the TRS chief denied any idea of " third front", reports said. He said he did not aim to bring in some kind of "third front" and the idea of "third front" had been created by the media. He added that their party has not proposed any such idea. He further said that the alliance was an alignment of farmers and India's youth and not political parties. He also said that the decision of the parties who would join the alliance would be taken in future. Earlier, the Telangana chief minister had met with the West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. Their meeting was seen as an effort to build a non-Congress, non-BJP federal front.

In an attempt to stitch coalition, KCR meets Karunanidhi, MK Stalin, rings Mamata Banerjee too

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/arrest-mla-kuldeep-singh-sengar-allahabad-high-court-directs-cbi-130239">Arrest MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar, Allahabad High Court directs CBI</a>

The Allahabad High Court on Friday directed the CBI to arrest BJP MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar, accused in the Unnao rape case.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/cwg-2018-pooja-dhanda-bags-silver-in-womens-wrestling--130237">CWG 2018: Pooja Dhanda bags silver in women's wrestling</a>

Wrestler Pooja Dhanda bagged silver medal in the women's 57-kilogram wrestling at the 21st Commonwealth Games 2018 on Friday.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/third-front-is-coming-together-of-indias-masses-telangana-cm-kcr-130258">Third</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/third-front-is-coming-together-of-indias-masses-telangana-cm-kcr-130258"> front is coming together of India's masses: Telangana CM KCR</a>

Third front isn't a silly political front, it'll be coming together of India's masses, said Telangana &nbspChief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao after meeting former prime minister and Jananta Dal (Secular) chief HD Deve Gowda.&nbsp

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/cwg-2018-india-lose-3-2-to-new-zealand-in-mens-hockey-will-play-for-bronze-130256">CWG 2018: India lose 3-2 to New Zealand in Men's Hockey, will play for bronze</a>

The Indian men’s hockey team on Friday were convincingly beaten by New Zealand in the semi-final at the Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pak-supreme-court-verdict-disqualifying-nawaz-sharif-a-joke-says-his-party-130229">Pak Supreme Court verdict disqualifying Nawaz Sharif a joke, says his party</a>

Nawaz Sharif's party has called the Supreme Court verdict against the former Pakistan Prime Minister a "joke". The Pakistan Supreme Court, in a landmark judgement, disqualified Sharif from holding office for life while hearing a case related to determination of time duration for disqualification of a lawmaker under the Constitution. Sharif, facing corruption charges, was disqualified under Article 62 (1)(f) of Pakistan's Constitution.

&nbsp

Arrest MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar, Allahabad High Court directs CBI The Allahabad High Court on Friday directed the CBI to arrest BJP MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar, accused in the Unnao rape case. CWG 2018: Pooja Dhanda bags silver in women's wrestling Wrestler Pooja Dhanda bagged silver medal in the women's 57-kilogram wrestling at the 21st Commonwealth Games 2018 on Friday. Third front is coming together of India's masses: Telangana CM KCR Third front isn't a silly political front, it'll be coming together of India's masses, said Telangana &nbspChief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao after meeting former prime minister and Jananta Dal (Secular) chief HD Deve Gowda. CWG 2018: India lose 3-2 to New Zealand in Men's Hockey, will play for bronze The Indian men’s hockey team on Friday were convincingly beaten by New Zealand in the semi-final at the Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast. Pak Supreme Court verdict disqualifying Nawaz Sharif a joke, says his party Nawaz Sharif's party has called the Supreme Court verdict against the former Pakistan Prime Minister a "joke". The Pakistan Supreme Court, in a landmark judgement, disqualified Sharif from holding office for life while hearing a case related to determination of time duration for disqualification of a lawmaker under the Constitution. Sharif, facing corruption charges, was disqualified under Article 62 (1)(f) of Pakistan's Constitution.

News brief: Big stories of the day

Third front isn't a silly political front, it'll be coming together of India's masses, said Telangana &nbsp;Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao after meeting former prime minister and Jananta Dal (Secular) chief HD Deve Gowda.&nbsp;

''Congress and BJP ruled India for over 65 years and they've miserably failed the nation. This (third front) isn't a silly political front, it'll be coming together of India's masses,'' KCR said and added that they would also come out with a big agenda for farmers before 2019.

KCR claims to have received widespread support from various political leaders since he announced the third front

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee, former Jharkhand chief minister Hemant Soren, Sitaram Yechury of CPM, AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi are the some of the leaders who expressed their support for the third front.&nbsp;

KCR earlier met Mamata Banerjee in Kolkata in connection with the third front. &nbsp;

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Congress & BJP ruled India for over 65 years & they've miserably failed the nation. This (third front) isn't a silly political front, it'll be coming together of India's masses, we'll come out with a big agenda for farmers before 2019: Telangana CM after meeting HD Deve Gowda <a href="https://t.co/ctM13EvCT5">pic.twitter.com/ctM13EvCT5</a>
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&nbsp;

KCR claims to have received widespread support from various political leaders since he announced the third front

Third front isn't a silly political front, it'll be coming together of India's masses, said Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao after meeting former prime minister and Jananta Dal (Secular) chief HD Deve Gowda. ''Congress and BJP ruled India for over 65 years and they've miserably failed the nation. This (third front) isn't a silly political front, it'll be coming together of India's masses,'' KCR said and added that they would also come out with a big agenda for farmers before 2019. KCR claims to have received widespread support from various political leaders since he announced the third front West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee, former Jharkhand chief minister Hemant Soren, Sitaram Yechury of CPM, AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi are the some of the leaders who expressed their support for the third front. KCR earlier met Mamata Banerjee in Kolkata in connection with the third front. Congress & BJP ruled India for over 65 years & they've miserably failed the nation. This (third front) isn't a silly political front, it'll be coming together of India's masses, we'll come out with a big agenda for farmers before 2019: Telangana CM after meeting HD Deve Gowda pic.twitter.com/ctM13EvCT5 — ANI (@ANI) April 13, 2018 ×

Third front is coming together of India's masses: Telangana CM KCR

Congress has decided to stay away from the &lsquo;Third Front&rsquo; experiment mooted by some regional parties, including Trinamool Congress (TMC) and Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS). TMC chief Mamata Banerjee and TRS president K Chandrashekhar Rao (KCR) are making efforts to stitch together a &#39;non-Congress, non-BJP&#39; front bringing together like-minded parties.

But sources in the Congress say that such talks are a result of West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC chief Mamata Banerjee nursing prime ministerial ambitions, and TRS president KCR trying to fight the heat of incumbency in his state.

Many senior leaders in the Congress are of the opinion that most of the regional leaders will come around by election time but Congress cannot become a casualty of a tie-up where its organisation is further impacted.

&quot;Everyone is free to pursue their agenda and ambition. KCR for four years considered Modi as the only leader and aligned with him. Now Congress has put heat on him and his party is taking a nose dive so he wants to create an alternative,&quot; Congress leader Randeep Surjewala told WION.

Though it targets KCR, Congress officially remains diplomatic on Mamata and maintains that both parties will resolve their differences to come together on issues of national importance.

However, Mamata and KCR have received support from regional players. All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi told WION that since Congress has not taken the initiative, other parties are filling the vacuum. Even DMK has been contacted on this issue which has decided to discuss the proposal.

Former Chhattisgarh chief minister Ajit Jogi spoke to KCR over phone on Monday and expressed support for the plan to float a Third Front-like formation. Former Jharkhand chief minister Hemant Soren of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) has also extended support to the proposal.

Congress, for now, is focussing on nourishing the organisation amid fears that the party will wither away completely after humiliating losses in Tripura, Meghalaya and Nagaland assembly elections. It is for this reason that Congress has kept away from joining the SP-BSP combine to fight the Phoolpur and Gorakhpur bypolls in Uttar Pradesh.

&quot;Parties are free to contest but we will not withdraw our candidates from the fray,&quot; Surjewala said.

The idea, sources say, is to have a front which is led by the Grand Old Party. And Sonia Gandhi&#39;s invitation to leaders of opposition parties for a dinner on March 13 points to that, they say.

Several leaders have confirmed their attendance, a Congress leader said, declining to go into spcifics. However, he said Sonia Gandhi is keen to have all top opposition party leaders, including Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee, who is yet to confirm.

TMC chief Mamata Banerjee and TRS president K Chandrashekhar Rao are making efforts to stitch together a 'non-Congress, non-BJP' front bringing together like-minded parties

Congress has decided to stay away from the ‘Third Front’ experiment mooted by some regional parties, including Trinamool Congress (TMC) and Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS). TMC chief Mamata Banerjee and TRS president K Chandrashekhar Rao (KCR) are making efforts to stitch together a 'non-Congress, non-BJP' front bringing together like-minded parties. But sources in the Congress say that such talks are a result of West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC chief Mamata Banerjee nursing prime ministerial ambitions, and TRS president KCR trying to fight the heat of incumbency in his state. Many senior leaders in the Congress are of the opinion that most of the regional leaders will come around by election time but Congress cannot become a casualty of a tie-up where its organisation is further impacted. "Everyone is free to pursue their agenda and ambition. KCR for four years considered Modi as the only leader and aligned with him. Now Congress has put heat on him and his party is taking a nose dive so he wants to create an alternative," Congress leader Randeep Surjewala told WION. Though it targets KCR, Congress officially remains diplomatic on Mamata and maintains that both parties will resolve their differences to come together on issues of national importance. However, Mamata and KCR have received support from regional players. All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi told WION that since Congress has not taken the initiative, other parties are filling the vacuum. Even DMK has been contacted on this issue which has decided to discuss the proposal. Former Chhattisgarh chief minister Ajit Jogi spoke to KCR over phone on Monday and expressed support for the plan to float a Third Front-like formation. Former Jharkhand chief minister Hemant Soren of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) has also extended support to the proposal. Congress, for now, is focussing on nourishing the organisation amid fears that the party will wither away completely after humiliating losses in Tripura, Meghalaya and Nagaland assembly elections. It is for this reason that Congress has kept away from joining the SP-BSP combine to fight the Phoolpur and Gorakhpur bypolls in Uttar Pradesh. "Parties are free to contest but we will not withdraw our candidates from the fray," Surjewala said. The idea, sources say, is to have a front which is led by the Grand Old Party. And Sonia Gandhi's invitation to leaders of opposition parties for a dinner on March 13 points to that, they say. Several leaders have confirmed their attendance, a Congress leader said, declining to go into spcifics. However, he said Sonia Gandhi is keen to have all top opposition party leaders, including Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee, who is yet to confirm.

Congress cold-shoulders idea of 'Third Front'

There has never been a single Third Front. There have been many avatars of Third Fronts. The genesis of National Front, United Front or Third Front lies in anti-Congress Grand Alliance which was conceived by Ram Manohar Lohia after Jawaharlal Nehru passed away. In 1967, all non-Congress parties came together, and they were able to form the governments in a number of states for the first time. It is from this success, emanated the confidence of a non-Congress government at the Centre.&nbsp;

Since then, time to time, regional parties came together to make government against Congress. In the 1990s, regional parties got realigned on the basis of ideology and personal relationship. The first born was NDA, it was succeeded by the UPA when the Congress realised that it alone cannot be a match against well aligned NDA.

Off late, many politicians have started to moot the idea of floating a Grand Alliance to contain BJP electorally as it has replaced the Congress from the pole position in the Indian politics.

The strategists are excited about the idea of SP-BSP joining hands for two by-elections in Uttar Pradesh. But the pact, sugar-coated by the ideal of secular politics, cannot undermine the barter which has taken place between two parties. For instance, Mayawati will be able to go to Rajya Sabha on SP&rsquo;s support. Some people are also excited about the fact that Mayawati has taken a leaf out of Kanshiram&rsquo;s playbook, but they should pause and think as to what could have happened to Mayawati when SP goons attacked her in the guest house.

Apart from Mayawati, West Bengal&rsquo;s Chief Minister Mamata Banerji and Telangana&rsquo;s Chief Minister Chandrashekhar Rao are openly mooting the idea to form a Grand Front. Mamata even blamed Congress for not creating an umbrella alliance for the North East elections. The fact of the matter is that can the Third Front be an alternative. Will it have a different ideology? Will it be supported by the Congress? Who will be the prime ministerial candidate? I suppose these questions are irrelevant.

Today&rsquo;s idea of the Third Front is rooted in the preservation of power and nothing else. Unlike 1967 and 1977, it is not rooted in the idea against total hegemony and emergency. It does not have a noble purpose. It is, for this reason, the experiment of 1996-98 (United Front) was a total failure. It was rooted in the idea of keeping one party out.

Today, Congress is in position to be a pole around which small parties can come together. It is so small both organisationally and electorally that regional parties have started to treat Congress as its equal.

On the other hand, the desire of regional parties for a Front also stems from BJP&rsquo;s expansion in newer areas where they themselves have remained sole challenger to the erstwhile Congress.&nbsp; Over the last four years, Indian politics has become BJP vs rest. Non-Congress front in past has seen six prime ministers. All put together, such Fronts remained in power for more than 6 years but it gave 6 prime ministers. It is an unappetizing scenario. With Modi in the saddle, the Third Front will remain a pot of contradictions.

Will the Left side with the Trinamool Congress in 2019 and will Mayawati continue the arrangement when the nation goes to the polls? The answer is that there are too many ifs and buts about it and none of them will be able to stand as credible alternatives. Last in the question is, Chandrashekhar Rao who wants to emulate NT Rama Rao under whom the National Front came to power, and VP Singh became the Prime Minister. He was supported by both Left and BJP. Similar experiments between 1977-80 and 1996-98 were supported by the Congress. This time both Congress and Left have very small national footprints.

The crass anti-BJP-ism is a recipe for disaster. This will make people vote with greater margin for the BJP. Nitish-Laloo experiment was localised to Bihar and could not be replicated in West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh. Even in the case of UP, one will have to see as to how antagonistic vote banks of SP and BSP will cooperate on ground level. For Congress to lend support to such a venture would be suicidal. It will further cannibalise its own organisation.&nbsp;

BJP&rsquo;s electoral success is also a reflection of nation&rsquo;s changing mood on the relationship between religion and the state and assertion of the majority community in cultural sphere as a political actor uncut by caste. It requires a robust ideological opposition and not knee-jerk ganging up.

Opposition needs to understand the ideological and organisational preparedness of BJP. Its power rests on the theory that organisations stem from the power of an idea and from which party can attain power. Opposition and Congress want to reverse the process by grabbing power first, thinking that organisation will stem from it which will ultimately coalesce into a robust idea. It has never happened past and will not happen in future.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)&nbsp;

Fight BJP will need a robust ideological opposition and not knee-jerk ganging up.

There has never been a single Third Front. There have been many avatars of Third Fronts. The genesis of National Front, United Front or Third Front lies in anti-Congress Grand Alliance which was conceived by Ram Manohar Lohia after Jawaharlal Nehru passed away. In 1967, all non-Congress parties came together, and they were able to form the governments in a number of states for the first time. It is from this success, emanated the confidence of a non-Congress government at the Centre. Since then, time to time, regional parties came together to make government against Congress. In the 1990s, regional parties got realigned on the basis of ideology and personal relationship. The first born was NDA, it was succeeded by the UPA when the Congress realised that it alone cannot be a match against well aligned NDA. Off late, many politicians have started to moot the idea of floating a Grand Alliance to contain BJP electorally as it has replaced the Congress from the pole position in the Indian politics. The strategists are excited about the idea of SP-BSP joining hands for two by-elections in Uttar Pradesh. But the pact, sugar-coated by the ideal of secular politics, cannot undermine the barter which has taken place between two parties. For instance, Mayawati will be able to go to Rajya Sabha on SP’s support. Some people are also excited about the fact that Mayawati has taken a leaf out of Kanshiram’s playbook, but they should pause and think as to what could have happened to Mayawati when SP goons attacked her in the guest house. Apart from Mayawati, West Bengal’s Chief Minister Mamata Banerji and Telangana’s Chief Minister Chandrashekhar Rao are openly mooting the idea to form a Grand Front. Mamata even blamed Congress for not creating an umbrella alliance for the North East elections. The fact of the matter is that can the Third Front be an alternative. Will it have a different ideology? Will it be supported by the Congress? Who will be the prime ministerial candidate? I suppose these questions are irrelevant. Today’s idea of the Third Front is rooted in the preservation of power and nothing else. Unlike 1967 and 1977, it is not rooted in the idea against total hegemony and emergency. It does not have a noble purpose. It is, for this reason, the experiment of 1996-98 (United Front) was a total failure. It was rooted in the idea of keeping one party out. Today, Congress is in position to be a pole around which small parties can come together. It is so small both organisationally and electorally that regional parties have started to treat Congress as its equal. On the other hand, the desire of regional parties for a Front also stems from BJP’s expansion in newer areas where they themselves have remained sole challenger to the erstwhile Congress. Over the last four years, Indian politics has become BJP vs rest. Non-Congress front in past has seen six prime ministers. All put together, such Fronts remained in power for more than 6 years but it gave 6 prime ministers. It is an unappetizing scenario. With Modi in the saddle, the Third Front will remain a pot of contradictions. Will the Left side with the Trinamool Congress in 2019 and will Mayawati continue the arrangement when the nation goes to the polls? The answer is that there are too many ifs and buts about it and none of them will be able to stand as credible alternatives. Last in the question is, Chandrashekhar Rao who wants to emulate NT Rama Rao under whom the National Front came to power, and VP Singh became the Prime Minister. He was supported by both Left and BJP. Similar experiments between 1977-80 and 1996-98 were supported by the Congress. This time both Congress and Left have very small national footprints. The crass anti-BJP-ism is a recipe for disaster. This will make people vote with greater margin for the BJP. Nitish-Laloo experiment was localised to Bihar and could not be replicated in West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh. Even in the case of UP, one will have to see as to how antagonistic vote banks of SP and BSP will cooperate on ground level. For Congress to lend support to such a venture would be suicidal. It will further cannibalise its own organisation. BJP’s electoral success is also a reflection of nation’s changing mood on the relationship between religion and the state and assertion of the majority community in cultural sphere as a political actor uncut by caste. It requires a robust ideological opposition and not knee-jerk ganging up. Opposition needs to understand the ideological and organisational preparedness of BJP. Its power rests on the theory that organisations stem from the power of an idea and from which party can attain power. Opposition and Congress want to reverse the process by grabbing power first, thinking that organisation will stem from it which will ultimately coalesce into a robust idea. It has never happened past and will not happen in future. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Opinion: Why the Third Front against BJP is doomed to fail

After announcing his national political ambition, Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao (KCR) on Sunday said his idea of non-Congress and non-Bharatiya Janata Party front was finding resonance among many regional leaders.

&quot;Since morning, I have been receiving many calls from various places in India. Today afternoon, West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee called me and said that I have taken the right decision and she will be supporting me,&quot; Chief Minister Rao said while addressing a huge crowd at his official residence, Pragati Bhavan, in Telangana.

&quot;Former Jharkhand chief minister Hemant Soren also called, telling me that he is standing behind me. Soren also told me that he is trying to speak with many other people in India and will meet up soon and speak on the issue,&quot; said Rao.

He also said that numerous MPs have called him and assured him of their support.

Meanwhile, Rao criticised Congress and BJP, saying that both the parties have &quot;miserably failed in governance&quot;.

&quot;We see farmers` suicides, why is this happening even after 70 years of independence?&quot; Rao asked.

He further accused the national parties of dividing the country and its people on caste, religion and political lines.Claiming that nothing has changed during the governance of BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) at the Centre, Rao said some sectors should be handed over to the states.

&quot;Medical, education, agriculture, and urban development should be handed over to state governments, but they aren`t doing so, while the Central government is keeping all these departments in their hands,&quot; said the Telangana Chief Minister.

On Saturday, after chairing the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) parliamentary board meeting, KCR announced his ambition to participate in the national politics to initiate a change in the political fabric of the country, following the &quot;miserable failure&quot; of the current system.

&quot;I am keen to participate in national politics to change the political fabric of the country as the current political system has miserably failed. There is a serious need for qualitative change in the national politics, as no change has been seen by the people even after 70 years of exercise of democracy,&quot; he said.

Thereafter, West Bengal`s Banerjee, former Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren, two MPs from Maharashtra, and representatives from other political parties called KCR to express their support for his vision.

However, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) did not take the criticism lying down and its Telangana unit alleged that KCR had &quot;failed miserably&quot; in the governance of Telangana, adding that the decision to unite with other parties was because of not being able to fight the BJP alone.&nbsp;

After announcing his national political ambition, Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao (KCR) on Sunday said his idea of non-Congress and non-Bharatiya Janata Party front was finding resonance among many regional leaders

After announcing his national political ambition, Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao (KCR) on Sunday said his idea of non-Congress and non-Bharatiya Janata Party front was finding resonance among many regional leaders. "Since morning, I have been receiving many calls from various places in India. Today afternoon, West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee called me and said that I have taken the right decision and she will be supporting me," Chief Minister Rao said while addressing a huge crowd at his official residence, Pragati Bhavan, in Telangana. "Former Jharkhand chief minister Hemant Soren also called, telling me that he is standing behind me. Soren also told me that he is trying to speak with many other people in India and will meet up soon and speak on the issue," said Rao. He also said that numerous MPs have called him and assured him of their support. Meanwhile, Rao criticised Congress and BJP, saying that both the parties have "miserably failed in governance". "We see farmers` suicides, why is this happening even after 70 years of independence?" Rao asked. He further accused the national parties of dividing the country and its people on caste, religion and political lines.Claiming that nothing has changed during the governance of BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) at the Centre, Rao said some sectors should be handed over to the states. "Medical, education, agriculture, and urban development should be handed over to state governments, but they aren`t doing so, while the Central government is keeping all these departments in their hands," said the Telangana Chief Minister. On Saturday, after chairing the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) parliamentary board meeting, KCR announced his ambition to participate in the national politics to initiate a change in the political fabric of the country, following the "miserable failure" of the current system. "I am keen to participate in national politics to change the political fabric of the country as the current political system has miserably failed. There is a serious need for qualitative change in the national politics, as no change has been seen by the people even after 70 years of exercise of democracy," he said. Thereafter, West Bengal`s Banerjee, former Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren, two MPs from Maharashtra, and representatives from other political parties called KCR to express their support for his vision. However, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) did not take the criticism lying down and its Telangana unit alleged that KCR had "failed miserably" in the governance of Telangana, adding that the decision to unite with other parties was because of not being able to fight the BJP alone.

Receiving widespread support: KCR on third front idea

Telangana chief minister K Chandrashekhar Rao has hinted at leading a &#39;&#39;third front&#39;&#39; as he feels that there is a need for &#39;&#39;qualitative changes&#39;&#39; in National Politics.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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I haven&#39;t abused anyone. I&#39;m PM Modi&#39;s best friend. I sought an appointment with him in Delhi, that itself shows I have nothing against him,but he couldn&#39;t accommodate the request for appointment: Telangana CM K Chandrashekhar Rao on allegations of using abusive words for PM Modi <a href="https://t.co/UULLAz4MMq">pic.twitter.com/UULLAz4MMq</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/969954091597115392?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 3, 2018</a></blockquote>
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News agency ANI quoting the Telangana CM stated that people want change in 2019 polls.

&#39;&#39;Sitaram Yechury of CPM is a good friend of mine. I met him in Delhi recently. People want change in India for 2019 polls. There is a need for qualitative changes in National Politics. I am talking to like-minded people. If required I will lead the movement,&#39;&#39; KCR told ANI.&nbsp;

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Sitaram Yechury of CPM is a good friend of mine. I met him in Delhi recently. People want change in India for 2019 polls. There is a need of qualitative changes in National Politics. I am talking to like minded people. If required I will lead the movement: KC Rao (file pic) <a href="https://t.co/PU8oPkps1U">pic.twitter.com/PU8oPkps1U</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/969954096378650624?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 3, 2018</a></blockquote>
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On the allegations that he abused prime minister Modi, he said that he hasn&#39;t abused anyone.&nbsp;

&#39;&#39;I haven&#39;t abused anyone. I&#39;m PM Modi&#39;s best friend. I sought an appointment with him in Delhi, that itself shows I have nothing against him, but he couldn&#39;t accommodate the request for an appointment,&#39;&#39; Rao clarified on allegations him using abusive words for PM Modi.&nbsp;

On the allegations that he abused prime minister Modi, he said that he hasn't abused anyone.

Telangana chief minister K Chandrashekhar Rao has hinted at leading a ''third front'' as he feels that there is a need for ''qualitative changes'' in National Politics. I haven't abused anyone. I'm PM Modi's best friend. I sought an appointment with him in Delhi, that itself shows I have nothing against him,but he couldn't accommodate the request for appointment: Telangana CM K Chandrashekhar Rao on allegations of using abusive words for PM Modi pic.twitter.com/UULLAz4MMq — ANI (@ANI) March 3, 2018 × News agency ANI quoting the Telangana CM stated that people want change in 2019 polls. ''Sitaram Yechury of CPM is a good friend of mine. I met him in Delhi recently. People want change in India for 2019 polls. There is a need for qualitative changes in National Politics. I am talking to like-minded people. If required I will lead the movement,'' KCR told ANI. Sitaram Yechury of CPM is a good friend of mine. I met him in Delhi recently. People want change in India for 2019 polls. There is a need of qualitative changes in National Politics. I am talking to like minded people. If required I will lead the movement: KC Rao (file pic) pic.twitter.com/PU8oPkps1U — ANI (@ANI) March 3, 2018 × On the allegations that he abused prime minister Modi, he said that he hasn't abused anyone. ''I haven't abused anyone. I'm PM Modi's best friend. I sought an appointment with him in Delhi, that itself shows I have nothing against him, but he couldn't accommodate the request for an appointment,'' Rao clarified on allegations him using abusive words for PM Modi.

Telangana CM KCR hints at leading 'third front' in 2019

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