On the eve of counting, the CPM categorically ruled out supporting the Congress directly or indirectly, quashing all talk of the Left allowing a minority government led by the Congress.
CPM general secretary Prakash Karat said there was no possibility of the Left supporting the Congress in any way. “If it is a minority government issue, then the Congress should support a Third Front government,” he told The Indian Express Friday. All the post-exit poll speculation on the Congress’s hunt for 272 revolves around what the Left and the Third Front will do.
CPM sources said the issue of backing a Congress-led minority government hasn’t been discussed yet.
The Left does not anticipate a repeat of 2004 when it was forced to support the Congress to keep the BJP out. The CPM has enlisted the support of Mayawati for a Third Front government. The BSP chief, it is learnt, will attend the May 18 meeting of the Front here.
Karat met BSP leader Satish Chandra Mishra Friday. “We are with the Left and will remain so. In the coming months, you will see that. And wherever the Left will go, we are with them,” Mishra said afterwards.
The CPM, it is learnt, has also opened a channel with the NCP. Karat has been in touch with BJD chief Naveen Patnaik, TDP’s Chandrababu Naidu, and JD(S)’s H D Deve Gowda to keep the Third Front together after May 16. The Left is, however, wary of Jayalalithaa’s moves.
Source: Indianexpress
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