SP, RLD walk tightrope to Centre

Of late, the SP and RLD have been feeling increasingly left out in the cold despite a stunning victory at the polls. But SP general secretary Amar Singh took pains to clarify they were not hankering for a position in government.

Singh said: ‘‘We are not lusting for power. We had gone to Sonia’s dinner to make it clear that we had no ego when it came to the formation of a secular government. Otherwise, we would have been accused of not being party when a secular alternative was being formed.’’

Singh also did not completely abandon the idea of forming a Third Front as yet. On whether efforts to form a Third Front were over, he said: ‘‘The possibility is not over as yet. However, we are tired after three months of campaigning.’’

Singh clarified his party’s decision of participating in government or backing it from outside would depend on the Left’s decision. ‘‘I believe we should not join the government. But we will follow whatever the Left says. Mulayam Singh Yadav will take the final decision.’’

According to sources in the party, the SP leadership is making the best of a woeful situation. Now that its potential of being kingmaker or even king has evaporated, the SP is working hard to regain lost ground. In fact, they say, by hitching its fortunes with the Left, the SP could even consider staying out power and form a formidable force together with Harkishen Singh Surjeet.

Says another party source: ‘‘The Left-SP group will have a 100 LS MPs between them. If the Congress was hoping to divide us small parties and rule, their hopes will be dashed. We can keep the Congress on a leash if we are united.’’ Sources also admit that despite such a threat, it is important to keep a good working relationship with the Congress.

RLD chief Ajit Singh said: ‘‘Discussions on whether to join the government or not is still on with members of my party and with the SP. It is only a matter of a day when we take the final decision.’’ Sources close to Ajit claim the RLD leader is not averse to joining the Congress-led government: ‘‘The RLD hopes it can take a joint decision,’’ says the source, ‘‘or it may even go ahead alone.’’