CPI(M) Polit Bureau discusses poll strategy, Iran issue

New Delhi, Mar 10: The CPI(M) Polit Bureau today (Mar 10, 2006) discussed the party's startegy for the coming assembly polls as well as the fallout of the dispute over Iran's nuclear programme moving to the UN Security Council.

According to CPI(M) sources, the party leadership was critical of the Election Commission's decision to conduct a five-phase poll in West Bengal while ordering a one-day poll in Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry.

The Election Commission had consulted major parties in Tamil Nadu while the CPI(M) was not consulted on the poll schedule for West Bengal, some members claimed.

They were hopeful that the assembly elections would be free and fair and impartial.

The sources said so far there had been no discussion on the party's Chief Ministerial candidate for the Kerala assembly polls.

On the Iranian nuclear issue, the CPI(M) said India did not play the role expected of it at the IAEA meeting in Vienna, and as a result the matter had moved to the Security Council.

Meanwhile, former CPI(M) General Secretary H S Surjeet told UNI that the UPA Government would last its full five-year term.

UNI