Date:29/11/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/11/29/stories/2008112954051100.htm

National

CPI(M) Polit Bureau meet starts today

Special Correspondent

To discuss global meltdown, poll understanding, Mumbai terror attacks

In A.P., Left may go with TDP and not Praja Rajyam
Looks like an alliance with AIADMK in T.N.

NEW DELHI: Finalising electoral understanding, terror attacks in Mumbai and the impact of the global economic crisis and its management are issues that will be discussed at the two-day Polit Bureau meeting of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) starting here on Saturday.

Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu are the two key States in which the CPI (M) will take a final view on alignments. In Andhra Pradesh, the CPI (M) favours going with the Telugu Desam Party instead of the nascent Praja Rajyam of film star-turned-politician Chiranjeevi. The party was keen that the CPI took a view and now that the latter has firmly declared that it will go with the TDP, an announcement is a mere formality.

To act in unison

Both Left parties want to be seen as acting in unison while entering understanding with regional parties for the next Lok Sabha elections. In this regard, indications are that the CPI (M) may go with the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK). Earlier, CPI general secretary A.B. Bardhan and his deputy, S. Sudhakar Reddy, called on AIADMK leader J. Jayalalithaa in Chennai and made known their intention of going with the party.

Asked whether the CPI (M) too would follow suit, party general secretary Prakash Karat told The Hindu that at the moment “nothing is ruled out.” He, however, said once the Polit Bureau took a decision, it would be referred to the State Secretariat, which would meet later before any announcement could be made.

On third front

In Karnataka, the Left parties are reasonably certain that the parties will be going along with the Janata Dal (Secular) of H.D. Deve Gowda. To a question on the progress in forming a third national alternative, Mr. Karat said the Left parties would be forging electoral understanding State-wise.

The CPI (M) would also discuss the impact of the global meltdown on Indian economy and feared that the situation could result in loss of jobs and lay-offs. The party has said it is not satisfied with the management of the problem by the Manmohan Singh government.

Stand on terrorism

Terror attacks in Mumbai and the investigation into the Malegaon bomb blasts would also figure as the CPI (M) was of the view that communalism and terrorism were inter-connected.

The Polit Bureau will also take up some organisation matters regarding implementation of directions given by the last party congress.