The ‘third front’ is nowhere in sight. The CPI(M) has been steadfastly supporting the UPAS. And now, when there are questions within the party over fickle alliances with non-Left parties, the leadership has created a smokescreen with its suggestion of a ‘‘Third Alternative’’ which it can neither define nor concretise.Obviously, the party has several reasons. First, this serves as a warning to the Congress that it should not take the Left for granted. Second, it helps in keeping some hope alive among the more anti-Congress lobbies within the party. Thirdly, the word ‘‘alternative’’ instead of ‘‘front’’ is very significant.The CPI(M) is seriously optimistic about itself being able to provide the third alternative along with its Left partners and not look for opportunistic alliances. The party knows that such a dream would not be taken seriously and is therefore not specifying it at the moment.On the eve of the conference two days ago, senior Politburo member Sitaram Yechury told reporters that a number of amendments had been moved on the politcial wisdom of entering into meaningless poll alliances which yield little in the end. Even today, another Politburo member Prakash Karat said there were questions on past alignments with various parties like RJD, AGP, Telegu Desam or even the DMK. The CPI(M) has not gained much in any of these states where they brokered such political deals. Karat said the party was not looking forward to entering into any understanding for immediate political gains.In a statement given out on the nature of the deliberations, the party said: ‘‘Some comrades felt that more critical analysis should be conducted of our united front tactics, especially in states like Bihar and Uttar Pradesh.’’To a question on whether the Samajwadi Party would be included, the response was a bit vague, ‘‘could be’’. But Karat sounded buoyant when he insisted that the ‘‘Third Alternative’’ would be not just on paper but quite ready to do electoral battle when the next party congress comes about in 2008.It is more than apparent that the CPI(M) believes it will grow along with its other Left partners by 2008 to provide a viable ‘‘Third Alternative’’. Or it could well be an illusion, a mirage that has been carefully constructed for its disillusioned cadres.
