New Delhi: After a meeting with CPM (Communist Party of India-Marxist) leader Harkishan Singh Surjeet, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister and Samajwadi Party (SP) supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav today (Dec 31, 2003) ruled out joining any front to fight the Lok Sabha elections, saying a "third front" would emerge.

"There is no proposal before the Samajwadi Party to join any front. We will extend or take support on the basis of issues," he told reporters after his separate meetings with Surjeet and Defence Minister and National Democratic Alliance (NDA) convener George Fernandes.

Surjeet told the press conference that Yadav promised his support in all efforts to defeat Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). "He (Yadav) is one with us on the question of defeating BJP," he said adding, Yadav made it clear that Bahujan Samajwadi Party (BSP) should not have any place in a front in which SP would be.

Yadav's assurance assumes significance, as there has been considerable speculation that he was hobnobbing with BJP.

Asked to comment on the efforts by both BJP and Congress for formation of alliances and which of the two would be stronger, Yadav said that a third front would emerge stronger. He, however, asked Congress to take steps "cautiously".

Yadav met Surjeet and Fernandes and discussed the developing political situation in the wake of call given by Congress president Sonia Gandhi to unite anti-BJP forces before the next Lok Sabha elections.