Mulayam Singh Yadav emerged from the police station surrounded by commandoes, holding hands with the CPM's Sitaram Yechury and said, "What better example of the Third Front coming together?" He meant the leaders walking beside him like AB Bardhan and D Raja of the CPI, Chandrababu Naidu of the TDP and HD Deve Gowda of the Janata Dal (Secular). But Mr Yadav was careful to distance himself from the BJP. "I am supporting the government to stop communal forces.
BJP se hamara koi vaasta nahi hai (We have no relationship with the BJP)."