CPI(M) is in talks with SP, JD(U), JD(S) and BJD and other parties in a bid to forge a grouping of non-Congress secular forces ahead of the general elections, with the first step being to ensure their participation at a convention against communalism here later this month.
“Discussions are being held with non-Congress secular parties like the Samajwadi Party, JD(U), JD(S) and BJD to safeguard our secular democratic republic from threats emanating from communal forces,” senior CPI(M) leader Sitaram Yechury told a press conference in New Delhi.
To questions whether this grouping would lay the foundations for a ‘Third Front’ ahead of elections, he said all this would depend on the poll outcome. “We are working for the success of the convention. That is the objective now.”
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Mr. Yechury, CPI(M) General Secretary Prakash Karat and other party leaders have been holding discussions in the recent past with leaders like SP supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav and JD(U) chief Sharad Yadav on the issue. Other Left parties would also attend the convention in defence of secularism on October 30.
CPI(M) Polit Bureau, which met here for two days, supported the convention, saying it was “meant to mobilise the people to maintain people’s unity and to combat the communal forces.”
On the situation in Andhra Pradesh following government decision to create Telangana, Mr. Yechury held the Congress party “singularly responsible” for the situation. “The entire mess is due to the bungling by the the party and its government.”
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After taking a decision on Telangana as far back as 2009, “they did nothing on the matter, took no decision on crucial issues like water and power sharing and others. Their inaction has just put the state on the boil.”