The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) on Thursday snapped ties with the Third Front, accusing Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Mulayam Singh Yadav of praising the BJP.

The party also announced that it would go solo for the remaining four phases of Assembly elections.

The SP, the NCP and Pappu Yadav-led Jan Adhikar Party had joined hands on the eve of the elections, claiming to provide a viable alternative to voters. The NCP's decision to quit the alliance was made by its general secretary and Katihar MP Tariq Anwar, who had been projected as the Front's chief ministerial candidate.

He said the decision was taken in light of Mulayam's statements made in New Delhi a few days ago in which he had said there was a BJP wave in Bihar and it would come to power in the state. He had also declared that the SP was with the BJP in all good work.

"We waited for three days but Mulayam did not rebut his statements. We have no other option but to leave the Third Front. We are locked in an ideological fight against communal forces. We cannot go with any person or party who/which supports the BJP," Tariq said. The NCP is contesting 45 seats of which voting has been completed on eight during the first phase on October 12, while the party was part of the Front. A majority of the rest 37 seats is located in the Seemanchal region in northeast Bihar and would go to polls in the fifth phase on November 5.

The NCP leader told The Telegraph: "We won't be responsible if the NDA or any other alliance benefits owing to our decision. Those singing paeans to the BJP would be responsible. How could we remain in the Front if the head of its largest party (SP) favours the BJP?" he added.