WASHINGTON, Feb 22: Ralph Nader, whose third-party White House bid in 2000 was blamed by some Democrats for helping elect Republican George W Bush, said on Sunday he will run again this year as an independent.

Ignoring pleas from leading Democrats who have asked him to stay out of the race, the veteran consumer advocate said a strong desire to evict Mr Bush from the White House motivated him to run again.

But the opposition Democratic Party says Mr. Nader's decision will further strengthen President Bush's campaign to seek reelection in 2004 by dividing those voters who traditionally vote against the Republican Party.

Mr Nader announced his decision during an interview on NBC's "Meet the Press" programme. Later, his office confirmed that he has decided to run as an independent candidate for president.

Mr Nader's Green Party bid picked up nearly 2.9 million votes in 2000 and was blamed for siphoning support from Mr Bush's Democrat rival, former Vice President Al Gore.