Dismissing the possibility of formation of a Third Front, CPI (M) General Secretary Prakash Karat said some 10 non-Congress, non-BJP parties were willing to come together for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections to provide a viable alternative.
Speaking to the media on Saturday, Prakash Karat said that there was no Front as such and nobody has talked about a Third Front. What we are trying to bring about is a combination of the non-Congress, non-BJP parties.
“After the elections we will give it some concrete shape depending on the election results. But we will cooperate for the Lok Sabha elections. That is being worked out, how exactly we will cooperate”, he said, adding that the non-Congress and non-BJP parties would announce a “common approach” on February 5, the first day of the coming Parliament session, as a precursor to the emergence of the alternative combination of parties.
Karat said, “For example, the UPA wants to push through many legislations. We don’t think it is advisable. Because, normally the convention is the last session is only for a vote-on-account. But they want to bring in many other issues. On all those matters, these parties will announce a common stand”, he added.
Karat said the AIADMK, JD(U), JD(S), BJD, Samajwadi Party and the Left are likely to be part of the non-Congress and non-BJP coalition. The proposed coalition of these parties is expected to present a set of alternative policies. Observing that the Aam Admi Party (AAP) does not appear to be growing anywhere except in Delhi, Karat said the Arvind Kejriwal-led party is not a substitute for Left parties in the country.
Replying to a query, Karat said the CPI(M) stood for “united Andhra Pradesh”.
Noting that the TDP, the erstwhile ally of the Left for a long time, appeared to be heading towards the BJP and his party considered the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) as an “Opposition, secular” party.
Asked if an understanding between the YSRCP and CPI(M) was possible, he said the issue would be discussed by the CPI(M) State committee and a final decision would be taken after Parliament session. The State committee will discuss the strategy to be pursued for the Lok Sabha elections. But the final decision will be taken by our party only after Parliament session and the result of this session is known, he said. (NSS)
