Signals for 'Left of the Centre' political force: Left

New Delhi, Apr 21: The country is fast heading towards a 'left of the Centre'. They have argued that with the allies in both the BJP and the Congress camps "deserting" them, it has sent strong signals for the emerging political situation wherein the Left and the centrist forces jointly would have to play a "more decisive" role.

The erstwhile socialists, who joined the NDA camp only to" get disillusioned" with the BJP's Hindutva agenda and its carrying forward the World Bank and IMF-dictated economic policies, are believed to be in constant touch with the Left with a view to once again form a non- Congress, non- BJP political formulation.

In separate interviews to UNI, the Left leaders, while stressing that the emerging scenario was undoubtedly favourable for such a move, but want them to first ''join the mass struggles against the BJP's communalism and the Congress' anti-worker, anti-people, anti- employee economic policies on the streets.'' Independent political experts hold that the political cycle was moving towards the emergence of the" left of the centre" politics as witnessed in 1957,67,77,87-89,96-97.

''On all these occasions the soul of India spoke out.'' CPI General Secretary A B Bardhan said the BJP was facing a" grave crisis" on the political and ideological planks.It can be seen from the poor response to the Surakasha Yatras of Mr L K Advani and Mr Rajnath Singh."

Besides, there were indications that its allies in the NDA including the JD(U) and TDP were unhappy with its Hindutva politics and that the "inner disarray" had set in, Mr Bardhan said in an obvious reference to the JD(U) new president Sharad Yadav's reported no to BJP for support to its candidate Vinay Katiyar against Congress chief Sonia Gandhi in Rae Bareli and the TDP president Chandrababu Naidu now feeling sorry for his party alignment with it.

CPI national Secretary D Raja said the situation could be ready for any third alternative provided the erstwhile socialists formally broke their ties with the communal forces." Let them make an announcment to the effect." Mr Raja said on the other hand, the Congress while imposing its unilateral vested political and economic agenda on the nation as had been seen in its anti-Iran stand to suit the US foreign policy , was taking the Left support for granted."

But we can not allow this to continue." CPI(M) senior leader and party Deputy Leader in the Lok Sabha Salim Mohammad said after the assembly elections, the realignment could take place as the BJP had once again become " untouchable"." You know, in the four states- West Bengal, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Assam and Pondicherry, there is no single party which has aligned with it."

Mr Salim said the so-called secular forces which are still with BJP and wanting to come out, were now were afraid of the fact that their association with it would 'ruin them because the BJP is in disarray." Even the Congress allies in the UPA- the RJD and NCP in the company of the Left are contesting against the Congress in West Bengal" Even in Assam, the NCP did not go alongwith the Congress, he said adding that they were feeling the need for a non-Congress, non-BJP political force.

The isues that were now coming on the centre stage, according to him were- social equity and inclusive growth, disintegration of the NDA and job quotas.

Forward Bloc national Secretary G Devrajan said the Left would discharge its role with" greater caution and responsibility.

"After the polls, we will review our support to the UPA government.

We hope that we will get a requisite mandate from the people in these polls to play a more decisive role." Referring to JD (U) leader George Fernandes reported recent meeting with SP president Mulayam Singh Yadav, Mr Devrajan said the Left parties were exploring the possibility on associating all the secular and democratic forces in the people's movements against the Congress and the BJP.

"After the assembly elections, the Left will also discuss whether it is necessary at all to continue support to the Manmohan Singh government."

UNI