MUMBAI, DECEMBER 16: Regional parties will play an important role in national politics in the future, said former prime minister V P Singh.Adressing a press meet organised by the Press Club, Mumbai, Singh felt that the future of the BJP-led coalitions government will depend on the support from its allies which are mainly parties with strong presence in some states. Singh said that all national parties have to look to smaller regional parties for survival and vice-versa.He said the government is faced with two contradictions, that the BJP cannot give priority to its own agenda which is ideologically different from some of its allies and second, is that of power. Singh pointed out that the BJP on its own cannot get an absolute majority as it falls short by around 90 seats. He said that in the future, coalitions will play a very vital role in running a government.On the Kalyan Singh issue, he said the expulsion of the former UP chief minister from the BJP will not see a vertical split but will have some effect in the State depending on Kalyan's future agenda.Admitting that the Third front has not been doing too well in the recent past, Singh said, it has however played a vital role in the national level with the implementation of the Mandal Commission.On the 'foreigners' issue, he said he was in support of the amendments.Asked about steps taken by the government on the Pakistan's military dictatorship policy, Singh said the country should be alert defensively as well as should be open to diplomatic talks with its neighbours. He said that the government should not have a negative attitude.Singh also spoke on the recent proposal of the Maharashtra government to start at sea link between Worli and Bandra. He said he has learnt from newspaper reports about the environmental hazards the link will cause to residents of the locality. Singh pointed out the government should obtain environment clearance from the Centre and a Central technical team should check the link.
