Many of the players who joined the anti-nuclear bandwagon two months ago have deserted the formation, leaving the third front idea in tatters and even prompting CPI(M) general secretary Prakash Karat to say that he was now looking at an electoral alternative and not a third alternative.

On Friday, the Left parties, the TDP and the JD(S) announced that they will observe September 25, the day Prime Minister Manmohan Singh meets US President George W Bush in Washington, as protest day. Chautala’s INLD, Ajit Singh’s RLD and Babulal Marandi’s Jharkhand Vikas Morcha have left the formation while Mayawati’s BSP will not take part in protests on September 25 as the party is holding rallies and demonstrations against the Manmohan Singh Government on the issue.

“The BSP is already organising rallies and demonstrations at district headquarters and other centres in UP against the Indo-US nuclear deal. All its MPs and MLAs are attending these protest rallies,” Karat told The Indian Express when asked why the BSP was not taking part in the protest day next week.

The only formidable force that is sticking with the Left parties at present is the BSP. While the JD(S) has become a marginal player in Karnataka, the TDP, faced with desertions in its ranks, is finding itself on a weak wicket after movie star Chiranjeevi launched his political party. The good news is that AIADMK chief Jayalalithaa is warming up to the Left and has given ample hints that she is ready to join hands with the Comrades.

Interestingly, Ajit Singh, who had said that the anti-nuclear grouping would be the real alternative to the UPA, was the first to turn cold. after the BSP decided to contest on all the Lok Sabha seats in UP, dashing his hopes to have an electoral understanding with the party.

While the INLD is seriously engaged in talks with the BJP to sew up an alliance in Haryana for the next elections, another former UNPA constituent AGP has almost tied up with the saffron party in Assam.