The political turbulence in the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam-Congress alliance in Tamil Nadu notwithstanding, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) on Sunday said it does not envisage a change in the combination of parties committed to oppose the DMK-led alliance in the Assembly election next month.
“We have no such indication,” CPI (M) general secretary Prakash Karat said in response to a question whether a possible break up of the Congress-DMK alliance could see a pact between the AIADMK and the Congress.
The CPI (M) is currently engaged in seat-sharing talks with the AIADMK. As for the turn of events on Saturday night, Mr. Karat said the Congress’ woes with its allies are not a new development.
On the preparations in West Bengal and Kerala where the Left-led alliance is expected to face a tough challenge, Mr. Karat said the combination of parties lined-up against it should be defeated as its polices at the Centre led to corruption, price rise and against people.
“The Congress-Trinamool Congress (in West Bengal) and the UDF (in Kerala) should be defeated as they are responsible for the acute price rise, massive corruption and attacks on the livelihood of the people”, the party Central Secretariat said at its meeting in New Delhi. Mr. Karat addressed a press conference to brief about its deliberations.
The Central Committee said both in West Bengal and Kerala the Left-led governments have stood out for the implementation of pro-people policies and safeguarding the interests of the working people.
Asked whether the Chief Ministers of West Bengal and Kerala would lead the Left in the April-May elections, Mr. Karat said unlike the Congress where the party high-command takes a decision, in CPI (M) discussions and decision are made at the State level and list of candidates sent to the Central Secretariat/Polit Bureau for approval.
While stating that he expects West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee would lead the electoral battle and campaign, Mr. Karat said the Kerala State Secretariat and Committee would meet there from Monday to discuss election related issues. Mr. Karat and Polit Bureau member S. Ramachandran Pillai are travelling to Kerala to attend the meeting beginning Monday.
As for West Bengal, he said the list of candidates would be finalised soon. Earlier, the party Polit Bureau member Sitaram Yechury said its candidates for West Bengal should be ready by the middle of March.
