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Moves to revive the Third Front |
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In what is being perceived as the formation of a new front against Congress president Sonia Gandhi, several prominent Opposition leaders met on October 11 in New Delhi to float an independent national forum to address the challenges before the country. The decision to form the Rashtriya Swabhiman Manch (National Self-respect Forum) was taken at a meeting held at the residence of NDA convener George Fernandes. Those who attended the meeting included former Prime Minister Chandrashekhar, Janata Party president Subramaniam Swamy, Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Nirupam, former Samata Party president Jaya Jaitly and JDU leader Digvijay Singh.
BJP leader Uma Bharti and P.A. Sangma of the National Trinamul Congress could not attend the meeting, but sent letters pledging support to the forum. The plan of action of the forum is to be announced at a public meeting in New Delhi on November 4. The moves comes shortly after the Manmohan Singh Government disbanded the Tehelka inquiry commission. It is seen as a manoeuvre by George Fernandes and his friends to put pressure on the Manmohan Singh Government on the issue.
Both George Fernandes and Jaya Jaitly are involved in the defence scam exposed by the Tehelka news portal.
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