CPM outlines plans to forge third alternative

Signalling a possible realignment of forces at the national level, CPI(M) spelt out plans to forge a third alternative.

Signalling a possible realignment of forces at the national level, CPI(M) spelt out plans to forge a ‘long-term’ third alternative on a common policy platform to fight the BJP and the Congress.

It said the Left parties have the responsibility to initiate the process of formation of a non-Congress, non-BJP alternative and the CPI(M) was in discussion with some of the parties and forces to achieve this goal.

In worrying signals for the UPA barely a year ahead of Lok Sabha elections, the CPI(M)’s draft political resolution for the ensuing 19th Party Congress makes it clear that it will not enter into any alliance or united front with the Congress.

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Releasing the draft here, CPI(M) General Secretary Prakash Karat asserted that the party will maintain relations with all “non-Congress secular parties” for waging united struggles and joint actions on common issues.

He, however, remained non-committal on supporting the Congress-led coalition after the next Lok Sabha elections even though he repeatedly asserted the “third alternative cannot be a mere electoral alliance to meet current exigencies”.

“We still want a secular government at the Centre. But we also want a government which does not follow such economic policies. How we can achieve that, we will have to wait and see,” he said when asked about the CPI(M)’s plans for 2009 elections.

On the Indo-US nuclear deal, he said there was no forward movement on it. “It has gone to the IAEA. It will come back to the (UPA-Left) committee which we have set up. When that comes we will see. It is not going forward anywhere.”