Date:15/01/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/01/15/stories/2008011554491000.htm

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Left plans a new democratic front: Bardhan

Special Correspondent

PANAJI: The Left parties are planning a “Left-Democratic Front with a State-specific character” to bring together all those parties, including regional parties, who join the common struggles of the Communists for pro-people economic policies and desire to put up a secular and democratic alternative.

Making no secret of the Left parties’ moves to forge an alternative to the Congress as well as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), A.B. Bardhan, senior Left leader and general secretary of the Communist Party of India (CPI), admitted here on Monday that the Left was indeed trying to work out such an alternative which would keep the BJP and its allies out.

Elaborating on his arguments, he said that the situation differed from State to State and the aim would be to have State-specific alliances, adjustments and fronts to ensure that the maximum number of Left and progressive candidates win the next election. In that sense, the front would assume a State-specific character, he clarified.

Mr. Bardhan felt this would take some time because merely coming together for an electoral front would not be of help, but the emphasis would be on getting together all those who shared the common struggles of Left and democratic forces.

Replying to a question, Mr. Bardhan said, “We have been trying to tell the regional and other parties that it was not enough that they should be secular but must pursue pro-people economic policies.” The people were getting disillusioned with the failure of the Congress-led Central government to deliver as per the commitment in the Common Minimum Programme (CMP).

For instance, “in the matter of economic policies, the Government is getting closer and closer to the U.S. thereby giving up its independent international policy.” However, Mr. Bardhan ruled out the possibility of a mid-term poll and did not see any reason why the UPA government at the Centre would not complete remaining period of its term unless it obstinately decided to pursue policies deviating from the CMP.