New Delhi: Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav today (April 30, 2004) ruled out giving any support to Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the formation of next Government "under any circumstances" and expressed confidence that a Third Front would be formed if smaller parties perform well in the Lok Sabha polls.

He parried questions on whether he was a candidate for the Prime Ministership but asserted his party would play a "significant role" in whoever becomes the next Prime Minister.

Elections 2004-The Drama unfolds...
Political Parties in India

"We are against BJP forming the Government under any circumstances. What shape the Government will take will be decided after the results are out on May 13," he told TV channels in the backdrop of speculation that SP would have a post-poll tie-up to help BJP form the next Government.

Yadav said if smaller secular parties were in a "better position" after the elections, he would meet and discuss with their leaders about the formation of Third Front.

To a question whether he would be the leader of the Front and a candidate for the top post, the SP chief said, "I have never tried to become a leader, not even the Chief Minister. This all depends upon the people. But what you are indicating about Prime Ministership, I am not a candidate for the post at the moment."

Asserting that Third Front would be definitely in place, the Samajwadi Party chief said he was not a candidate for the Prime Minister's post at this moment but his party would play an important role in the formation of the next Government.