Amid mounting criticism of contradictions within the emerging non-Congress, non-BJP alternative and of viability of the grouping, Communist Party of India (Marxist) general secretary Prakash Karat said an electoral alliance or seat adjustments among all parties was not necessary.
In an article in the latest issue of the party organ, People’s Democracy , he said since many of the parties were State-based, it was not feasible to have seat adjustments with other constituents in other States. “But all these parties can pool their strength from their respective States for an all-India combination.”
Mr. Karat indicated that the “virulent BJP reaction” to the emerging alternative was testimony to the success of the grouping’s strategy to open up the electoral battle and turn what began as a “two-way contest” into a multicornered fight. “The BJP was riding high on the expectations that all the anti-Congress discontent of the people could be harvested by it.” But these calculations were upset with the emergence of the non-Congress, non-BJP alternative, he said.
Addressing a rally in Patna on Friday, Mr. Karat said: “The 11 parties, which have come together to form a summit of sorts, will be meeting in Delhi on February 22 to formalise an all-India formulation to provide an alternative to the people.”
