Idea of third front aimed to help Congress: BJP

BHUBANESWAR: BJP today said the idea of forming a third front before the ensuing general elections was aimed at helping the poll prospects of Congress.

"Formation of a third front will indirectly help Congress. Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik advocated for the third front as he desires a weak government at the Centre," said Dharmendra Pradhan, BJP national general secretary at the meeting of party's youth wing held here to mark the birth anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and freedom fighter Vir Surendra Sai.

Alleging that Patnaik had vested interest as he wished to 'find an escape route from the multi-crore mining scam and chitfund scam in the state', Pradhan said the Justice M B Shah Commission of Enquiry has already found loot of Rs 65,000 crore in the illegal mining activities.

He criticised the BJD government for allegedly failing to provide employment for the youths in the state despite being in power for three terms.

Pradhan's statement came a day after BJP president Rajnath Singh said third front is hypothetical.