JD-S chief H D Deve Gowda made this announcement following a brief meeting with Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati who coaxed the former PM to vote against the government.
Speaking after the meeting both Mayawati and Gowda said that a meeting of all the smaller parties had been convened on July 23. A national document highlighting the failures of the UPA government will be prepared following which they will go for elections jointly.
Gowda said he appreciated the decision taken by Mayawati but refused to comment whether she would be the next prime ministerial candidate. Gowda did not specify his joining the UNPA and the Left. But his statement that his party and the Left were natural allies for the past 35 years gives an indication that the JD-S will be part of the third front.
The statement by Gowda's son Kumaraswamy after the UNPA meeting was also a clear indication of them joining the third front.
Mayawati refused to comment on how many more MPs from the SP would join them. The BSP chief said some more defectors were on their way.
Gowda said that there has never been any confusion in his party, the talks with the Congress had always failed and he did not get into any deal.
By roping in Gowda, a major part of Mayawati's work comes to an end. She managed to rope in Ajit Singh earlier during the day. The focus now shifts to Tuesday and the subsequent meeting of the UNPA-Left combine on Wednesday.
