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Third Front will split secular votes: PM

Staff Reporter

We need politics of consensus that only Congress can forge, says Manmohan

— Photo: Vipin Chandran

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh greeting Congress workers along with candidates for Ernakulam and Chalakudy, K.V. Thomas and K.P. Dhanapalan, at an election campaign in Kochi, Kerala, on Saturday.

KOCHI: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has said that the Third Front can never form a government by themselves at the Centre but can only divide the secular votes in the Lok Sabha election.

Inaugurating an election campaign meet organised by the United Democratic Front for its candidates K.V. Thomas (Ernakulam), and K.P. Dhanapalan (Chalakudy) at the Veli ground in Palluruthy near here on Saturday, Dr. Singh said the Third Front would only strengthen the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) by dividing the secular votes.

Pointing out that the Left had always been good in giving the cover of ideology to justify its political opportunism, the Prime Minister said the Congress was the only party that could effectively counter the threat against communal harmony and tolerance. “We need the politics of healing. We need a politics of consensus that only Congress can forge. We need to be wary of divisive politics,” he said amidst a loud round of cheer from hundreds of Congress workers.

Referring to the Left parties’ opposition to the nuclear deal, Dr. Singh said the government signed the deal to end India’s nuclear apartheid “and to provide us energy that is so critical to our development.” He said the Left opposed the deal and walked out of the government. “I would only say that time would one day judge the wisdom of our position,” Dr. Singh said.

Seeking votes on the platform of communal harmony, the Prime Minister said the Congress, as a political party, had consistently sought to create consensus and unity and thereby provide stability to the nation.

Describing that terrorism was a major challenge facing the nation today, Dr. Singh said the environment in India’s neighbouring countries was one of instability and violence. “Terrorism has international and inter-State dimensions. To tackle it, the country requires the leadership of a party that has a truly national character and that can respond to complex issues in a coordinated manner. I would submit to you that only the Congress can give the country such a leadership,” he said.

Stating that India had also not remained untouched by the economic crisis, the Prime Minister said: “We are better placed to face it than most other countries.”

“You have to choose carefully. The party you vote to power should have the leadership and experience to tackle such economic situations. I would submit today that only the Congress passes this test,” he said.

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