Lok Sabha polls 2014: Congress, allies will form next government, says P Chidambaram

NEW DELHI: Finance minister P Chidambaram said on Thursday that the Congress has a "very good chance" of forming the government with the help of some allies. The Congress response comes in the wake of a growing chorus, demanding an "enlarged" UPA-III to stop the Narendra Modi-led BJP's march to power. Senior Congress leaders have sought to keep their options open, floating the idea of an "enlarged UPA-III", which takes on board new allies.

The senior leader from Tamil Nadu insisted that the political scenario in the country had changed since 1989, when Rajiv Gandhi decided not to stake claim to form a government despite winning some 190 seats. According to Chidambaram, the 2014 Lok Sabha election isn't just a single election, but it's an election of various states. "Whichever party is in a position to form a stable government should come forward and discharge its duties. You cannot run away from responsibility. This country cannot afford an election every three months," he said.

Chidambaram's comments come close on the heels of Samajwadi Party boss Mulayam Singh Yadav's remarks about a Third Front government with Congress participating in it.