Sunday, May 29 2005 09:21 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Bhopal: Seconding the decision of fresh polls in Bihar, former Prime Minister V P Singh, said RJD's (Rashtriya Janata Dal) Laloo Prasad Yadav and LJP's (Lok Janshakti Party) Ramvilas Paswan should 'patch-up' before the elections and Congress should also 'play a role' in making the alliance.

"I believe that both (Yadav and Paswan) should patch-up. And Congress should also play a role in making it happen," Singh said at a press conference in Bhopal.

On whether he would be instrumental in the 'patch-up', he said, "If I can, I will try to help. What role I can play.., I don't know. It depends on what role they offer to me."

Stating that unlike Goa and Jharkhand, decision of Bihar Governor was justified, the former Prime Minister said, "Buta Singh could have invited the largest party, that is Laloo, to form the Government. But, he didn't do so because he felt it was not possible."

"He (Buta Singh) was right in calling for fresh polls especially when horse trading was taking place," Singh added.

On evolution of a third front at the Centre, he said, "I will not be surprised if it develops as there is a desire for a third option at the ground level." But, such steps failed with disintegration of political outfits like National Front or United Front. It is a question of credibility of the third front, he said.

"Polarisation is also not evident as NDA (National Democratic Alliance) faces dissidence from allies like TDP (Telugu Desam Party) and the UPA (United Progressive Alliance) has been recently formed," he said adding, however, UPA seems to be the most stable front.