Kanpur: In a scathing attack on the "third front", Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani today (Apr 5, 2004) said that these parties have "no relevance" at the national level and they have "vested interest in political uncertainty".

"The third front parties have no relevance at the national level. They have developed a vested interest in political uncertainty because that is the only way to save their existence and make themselves relevant," he said on 24th day of his 'Bharat Uday Yatra'.

Claiming that there was "acute political instability" before Atal Bihari Vajpayee took over as the Prime Minister, Advani said, "These parties, draw their strengths from casteism and sectarianism. They are bereft of political issues and that people should show them their place."

"On the other hand, we aim to strengthen democracy and make the country a developed State," he said.

On Congress, the Deputy Prime Minister said it has "lost relevance in large states like Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. In UP our main opponents are Samajwadi Party and Bahujan Samaj Party and not Congress".

Reacting to Congress' charges that the Union Home Ministry had imported "inferior" AK-47 rifles, Advani said that the purchase has been done "sincerely".

"It has been processed honestly but I will look into the relevant papers," he said.