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No change in CPI(M) stand
Special Correspondent
| Why was Third Front silent so far: CPI |
Fight is between Pratibha and Shekhawat: Karat
Third Front should not create confusion: CPI
HYDERABAD: The Communist Party of India (Marxist) and the Communist Party of India on Wednesday made it clear that there would be no change in their stand on supporting United Progressive Alliance nominee Pratibha Patil for the Presidential poll.
CPI(M) general secretary Prakash Karat and CPI MP S. Sudhakar Reddy said the candidates were already declared and the fight was now between Ms. Patil and National Democratic Alliance candidate Bhairon Singh Shekhawat. There would not be any change in their stand even if Mr. Kalam preferred to contest, they told reporters separately.
Mr. Karat said he was surprised that the NDA was backing an “independent” candidate who was a well-known BJP leader and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh worker. “Why do they want to give an independent brand to their candidate. They can declare his political affiliation without converting him into an independent.”
Mr. Reddy asked the Third Front leaders, especially Telugu Desam Party president N. Chandrababu Naidu, not to create confusion among people by projecting the name of Mr. Kalam who was not inclined to contest. “Had the Third Front leaders been so particular about the election, why did they keep silent all these days?”
“Escape route”
The NDA’s assurance that it would support Mr. Kalam if he contests was only an “escape route.” “They are trying to engineer defections even in the Presidential election,” he alleged. Coupled with this was the attitude of few media barons, who “unfortunately” thought they could decide who the next President would be.
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