The Communist Party of India (Marxist) leadership believes that the Assembly election results in Delhi where the Aam Aadmi Party did well indicated the need for a non-BJP, non-Congress alternative.
People wanted “relief” from corruption and rise in prices of essential commodities for which the United Progressive Alliance government was responsible. “Wherever they [the people] found a viable alternative to both the Congress and the BJP, they voted for it,” said Sitaram Yechury, member of the CPI(M) Polit Bureau, said here.
“There is immense possibility for a non-Congress, non-BJP alternative that can provide relief for the people,” he added.
Asked whether the results of the four Assembly elections were an indicator of the BJP’s success in the next general elections, CPI(M) Central Committee member Md. Salim told The Hindu : “Obviously not. These four States are not representative of the whole country.”
As for the BJP’s success in Rajasthan, Mr. Salim said: “What happened there was due to the failure of the UPA-II government to check corruption and price rise.”
He, however, admitted that “in a straight contest between the BJP and the Congress, the BJP has the advantage,” though “in Chhattisgarh the BJP could not manage a clean sweep.” He said the people of the country were not happy either with the Congress or the BJP.
