The CPI(M) is holding parleys with the SP, JD(U), JD(S) and BJD and other parties in its bid to firm up a non-Congress, non-BJP front. A clear indication came on Monday from SP chief Mulayam Singh Yadav who said the Third Front will be formed after the 2014 general election and exuded confidence that the “next Prime Minister will be from among the (third front) alliance partners”.
The CPI(M) is holding parleys with the SP, JD(U), JD(S) and BJD and other parties in its bid to firm up a non-Congress, non-BJP front. A clear indication came on Monday from SP chief Mulayam Singh Yadav who said the Third Front will be formed after the 2014 general election and exuded confidence that the “next Prime Minister will be from among the (third front) alliance partners”. The CPI(M), whose electoral fortunes have dipped miserably, has taken the lead to forge an alliance of “secular forces” ahead of the general election, 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 said at a press conference on Monday. To questions on 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.” Mr Yechury, along with CPI(M) general secretary Prakash Karat and other party leaders, have been holding discussions in the recent past with leaders like Samajwadi Party 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. The CPI(M) politburo, which met here for two days, said the convention was “meant to mobilise the people to maintain people’s unity and to combat the communal forces”. While ruling out the formation of a Third Front before the 2014 Lok Sabha election, the SP chief on Monday voiced apprehension that there could be differences among various parties on ticket distribution if a front shapes up now. The SP chief claimed a third front will be formed after the elections. Mr Yadav, while speaking to reporters, maintained that all political parties of the proposed alliance would contest polls on their own strength and would then come together after the polls. The SP chief admitted his party was in touch with Mr Karat and CPI leader A.B. Bardhan over the possibility of third front formation after the polls.
