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UF unhappy as CPI-M woos Congress
R R Nair in New Delhi
The United Front stands disunited in its approach towards the party which brought down two of its governments.
The recent overtures by the Communist Party of India-Marxist towards the Congress have not been taken well by the other UF constituents.
Adding to the confusion is CPI-M general secretary Harkishan Singh Surjeet's latest statement that the UF would seek Congress support to form a government at the Centre after the poll.
Another UF constituent, the Communist Party of India, however, says it is not keen on joining a government supported by the Congress.
CPI general secretary A B Bardhan told Rediff On The NeT, "Congress support is not necessary as the UF will form a government on its own. If at all it is needed, this is not the right time to talk about it. Anyway, we are not very keen to take Congress support to form a government."
The Janata Dal, which heads the coalition government, is equally reluctant. Party spokesman Mohan Prakash told Rediff On The NeT, "We don't agree or disagree with Surjeet's statement. The time has not come to discuss the issue. If we need Congress support, we will discuss it after the election."
The Janata Dal feels the Congress would lose its bargaining power after the poll, and that it would not be able to repeat what it has done to two successive UF governments.
If Surjeet had his way, however, the CPI-M would support the Congress in constituencies where the UF candidates are weak to fight the Bharatiya Janata Party.
Surjeet's statement has reportedly encouraged CPI national secretary Dasari Nagabhushana Rao to say that his party would support the Congress in a majority of north Indian states.
But Bardhan dispelled all doubts of an alliance with the Congress. "There is no tactical line to go along with the Congress. And Nagabhushana Rao has contradicted the report from Vijayawada."
The Congress, too, has not kept mum on the CPI-M overtures.
Spurning Surjeet's helping hand, Congress Working Committee
member Pranab Mukherjeetold Rediff On The NeT that the CPI-M was ''making charity out of non-existing resources."
EARLIER REPORTS:
UF move sparks speculation on ties with Congress
To defeat the BJP, Communists will go soft on Congress
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