Date:12/05/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/05/12/stories/2007051205461200.htm

National

Defeat for communal parties: CPI(M)

Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI: The Communist Party of India (Marxist) on Friday viewed the Uttar Pradesh Assembly election results as a defeat of communal parties led by the Bharatiya Janata Party and congratulated the Bahujan Samaj Party on the victory.

``The electorate in U.P. has handed a resounding defeat to the communal platform led by the BJP despite their `Hindutva' campaign and issuing of the infamous CD,'' CPI (M) Polit Bureau member and MP, Sitaram Yechury told correspondents here.

While congratulating Ms. Mayawati and the BSP, he said the best part of the result was the defeat of the BJP.

On the possible impact of the U.P. verdict on the Presidential elections, Mr. Yechury said the party hoped the BSP would strengthen secular forces and support a secular candidate in thepolls.

He said that with informal consultations among secular formations having begun, there was the possibility of formal talks on the Presidential elections commencing shortly.