145;Third front option in nation146;s interest146;

AIADMK supremo J. Jayalalithaa on Thursday welcomed a move by the Left parties to explore the possibility of a third front at the national level. Some important leaders had discussed the issue with her, she said, declining, however, to divulge any names or elaborate on the subject further. 8216;8216;I think a third front is necessary in the nation8217;s interest and it is a welcome move8217;8217;, she said. Expressing confidence that a third front was definitely possible, Jayalalithaa said: 8216;8216;It should be made possible for the future welfare of the nation. Asked if any of the national leaders had been in touch with her regarding such a front, she replied in the affirmative but refused to name them. Jayalalithaa8217;s AIADMK lost the recent Assembly election, but managed to win 61 of the 234 seats. One of the main reasons for her defeat was attributed to the rather emaciated front cobbled up by her, which included Vaiko8217;s MDMK and a minor Dalit party 8212; Dalit Panthers of India DPI, led by Thol Thirumavalavan.