Mulayam Singh Yadav says he will stake claim for PM post, 3rd front to form government

MAINPURI: Samajwadi Party supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav today claimed that third front would form the government at the Centre, with SP as its largest component, and said he would stake claim for the prime minister's post.

To a question whether he would stake claim for the prime minister's post, he told PTI that SP would emerge as the largest party in the third front government and he would stake his claim.

But, it would be decided by all partners of the front, he said.

The SP supremo said that at the initial stage leaders of like-minded political parties had held interaction and after long deliberations it was decided that the leader of the third front would be decided after the elections.

Mulayam said BJP's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi is no threat to SP and he is a only media creation and added that BJP would not be in a position to form the government.

Earlier, at an election rally here, he said poor Muslims would get reservation like the backward community and loan of weavers would be waived like that of farmers.

He said that free higher education would be ensured to all irrespective of caste, class or religion.

The SP leader promised that free healthcare would be provided by the state government to all needy people, especially patients suffering from serious ailments.

Mulayam said that soon big industrial houses would set up big industry in Mainpuri to improve economic conditions of the district and ensure employment.

Attacking Congress, the SP supremo said it was a "dead force" and widespread corruption and high prices of essential commodities would show it its proper place.