CPI optimistic about 'third front'

By Our Staff Reporter

THANJAVUR, APRIL 8. The CPI general secretary, Mr. A. B. Bardhan, today said that a ``third front'' would emerge sooner or later as an alternative to both Congress(I) and the BJP at the Centre.

Speaking to reporters here, he said the perception that a two- party system would prevail in the future was wishful thinking. The BJP and the Congress(I) favoured the system as it would suit them. But the Left was optimistic about the emergence of a ``third front''.

At present the Left parties alone could not provide an alternative but the ground had been prepared for a ``third front''. The power of Left parties and various regional parties could not be overlooked. Former prime ministers were involved in the forming of third front and it would emerge in the future.

On the Union Home Minister, Mr. L. K. Advani's statement about a ``grand alliance'' in West Bengal where the BJP would not hesitate to join hands with Congress(I) to defeat the CPI(M), Mr. Bardhan said it was now clear who the BJP's main enemy was.

The proposed ``grand alliance'' in West Bengal had exposed the Congress(I), which appeared willing to give up its secular principles to fight the CPI(M). The Congress(I) had to explain about the ``grand alliance'' to the people, he said and admitted that if the alliance was formed it would make it tough for the CPI(M). However, the CPI(M) would win, he said.

The BJP's economic policies and hidden agenda would lead to its fall, Mr. Bardhan said and pointed out that it had already collapsed. While the media predicted a win for the BJP- led alliance in Bihar, the Left forecast a hung Assembly, which had come true, the CPI leader said.

Asked about the Left allying with Ms. Jayalalitha, AIADMK leader, who has corruption charges, Mr. Bardhan said it was a political alliance. With respect to corruption charges against Ms. Jayalalitha he said that law would take its own course.

Mr. Bardhan attacked the DMK for giving up its secular principles and joining hands with the BJP. He said he was unable to understand the Centre's savings policy. On one hand it cuts subsidy for PDS and increases prices and on the other gives more money in the form of hike in dearness allowance to its employees. The poor had been affected by the hike in prices of commodities sold through the PDS, he said.

Mr.D.Raja, CPI national secretary, was also present at the press conference.

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