Lucknow: Taking strong exception to Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and National Democratic Alliance (NDA) convenor George Fernandes' comments that there were "ideological similarities" between Samajwadi Party (SP) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), SP today (Apr 24, 2004) said that the statements show that NDA and BJP are "nervous and their defeat is certain".

"Though SP president Mulayam Singh Yadav and Fernandes have been associated with Ram Manohar Lohia, noted socialist thinker, unlike Fernandes, we have never compromised with principles for power," SP general secretary Amar Singh said at a press conference.

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Referring to Fernandes' reported statement that Yadav was ideologically quite close to him, Singh said, "We did not abandon our path for the sake of power."

"These leaders have changed their ideologies frequently to suit their political interest which was not a healthy sign for democracy," he said referring to Fernandes, Sharad Yadav, Ram Vilas Paswan, Jayalalitha and Om Prakash Chautala.

Terming assertions by Vajpayee and Fernandes as a "well-thought of strategy", Singh said that these aimed at creating confusion among minorities.

The SP leader asked Fernandes whether he would heed his (Singh's) advice and return to the secular fold.