New Delhi:
Welcoming Sharad Pawar's comments that people need strong leadership, Samajwadi Party (SP) today said that the NCP chief should join the Third Front so that an alternative can be provided to Congress and BJP.
"What Sharadji has said, we welcome it. And we invite him to the Third Front so that he moves ahead together with netaji (Mulayam Singh Yadav) and the country can get an alternative to Congress as well as BJP," SP leader Naresh Agarwal said.
He further said that SP had been opposing Congress so that the third front emerges.
When asked whether the recent assembly results were also a reflection of Rahul Gandhi's performance, Mr Agarwal, who was speaking to reporters outside Parliament, said, "The people of the country have rejected him. It is a different thing for Congress leaders to accept him."
NCP leader Tariq Anwar, who also spoke to reporters outside Parliament, however, said his party would continue to be a part of the UPA.
According to him, what Mr Pawar had said was that firm leadership was required so that there could be better decision making.
"People want strong leadership so that the right decision can be taken," he said.
When asked if he thought bringing Priyanka Gandhi ahead could help Congress, Mr Anwar said it was a decision for Congress to take.
Earlier, Mr Pawar had asked Congress and other allies to ponder over the outcome which is being seen as reflection of anger against the UPA government at the Centre.
"Congress has suffered a jolt in the polls. Everybody, including Congress and us, will have to ponder over this seriously," he said in a statement.
Mr Pawar emphasised on the importance of strong leaders, who can take quick decisions. "The ruler must be strong and one who ensures effective measures and also have the capacity to implement decisions taken," the Union Minister said and added that people don't like weak rulers.