The Hindu : CPI(M) has specific poll tactics for each State, says Karat

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Feb 17, 2004

National

National

CPI(M) has specific poll tactics for each State, says Karat

By Our Special Correspondent

Prakash Karat (centre), politburo member of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), addressing the press in Chennai on Monday. He is flanked by R. Umanath (left), politburo member, and N. Varadarajan, State secretary. — Photo: V. Ganesan

CHENNAI, FEB. 16. The Communist Party of India (Marxist) has worked out specific tactics in each State to join hands with the "widest democratic and secular forces" so that the Bharatiya Janata Party and its allies can be defeated in the Lok Sabha elections.

The CPI(M) politburo member, Prakash Karat, told mediapersons today that the party aimed to defeat the BJP and form a secular government at the Centre. However, it would take a decision on joining such a government only after reviewing the situation after the elections. At present, the CPI(M)'s line is that it would not be part of any government where it would not be able to influence policy-making.

The CPI(M), he said, planned to contest about 70 seats altogether. Asked if this was enough to play an influential part in the next government, he said the party would like to win more. The party usually won about 50 per cent of the seats it contested.

The alliance formed by the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam in Tamil Nadu would be an effective instrument to defeat the BJP-AIADMK combination.

The nature of the next government and who should head it would be decided only after the elections. The Left parties would play an important role in the formation of an alternative government. Asked about the prime ministerial candidate for such a government, he said: "We feel, the democratic method would be, after the elections, taking into account the strength of the various parties and the nature of the coalition, the leader could be decided after consultations."

Mr. Karat said that according to reports received from the State units of the party, the five years of the BJP-led Government had led to increasing unemployment, suffering to farmers, loss of jobs and closure of factories, loss of livelihood in both the urban and rural areas. The picture was contrary to what was being made out by the Government through its advertising blitz. India was shining only for 10 per cent of the people. "We are confident that it is on this record that the BJP-led alliance will be defeated," he said.

Mr. Karat urged the Election Commission to intervene and stop the wastage of public resources for the "India Shining" campaign of the Central Government. "No Government should be allowed to squander public funds on their own electoral partisan purposes," he said.

Referring to the report that the Government had written to the Election Commission that the Deputy Prime Minister, L.K. Advani, be allowed to enjoy the same facilities during the election period as are available to the Prime Minister, he said there was no need to extend the privileges to others. If the Government's request was conceded, many others would claim similar privileges. The BJP should pay for Mr. Advani's election campaign.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

National