Left bats for V P Singh's Jan Morcha

New Delhi, Apr 24 (UNI) In a significant political development, the Left parties today hailed former Prime Minister V P Singh's new party Jan Morcha as an initiative to combine secular and democratic forces to thwart parochial designs of communal forces and intensify struggle for the rights of farmers, unemployed, underprivileged and the working classes.

A day after the ''crusader in Indian politics,'' floated the Jan Morcha, the political wing of the Kisan Manch, launched by him in Allahabad about two years ago, Left's comments assume special significance as the Morcha is likely to contest the UP assembly polls in a big way early next year.

Reviving memories of the Jan Morcha of the late 1980s, the precursor of the Janata Dal, Mr V P Singh announced the birth of the party here yesterday, to be headed by suspended Samajwadi Party MP Raj Babbar.

Talking to UNI, senior CPI(M) leader and Rajya Sabha member Sitaram Yechury said, ''This is a positive development, we look forward to work jointly in defence of secularism, democratic institutions, youth and women.'' Mr Yechury said the Left always held Mr Singh in highest esteem as he waged relentless struggles against the ''divisive forces'' on several occasions and championed the cause of the poor, the displaced of various development projects, the tribals and the people pushed to the periphery of society.

''We wish him all success in his fresh initiative as it is a welcome move. You know Mr Singh also spoke for farmers interests in the WTO,'' the CPI(M) Polit Bureau member said.

Endorsing Mr Yechury's viewpoint, CPI Floor leaders in the Lok Sabha -- Basudev Achariya and Rup Chand Pal-- expressed the hope that Mr Singh's initiative would go a long way in uniting those ''scattered'' forces, which in association with the secular and Left forces could play ''a more decisive role in the national political scenario.'' CPI National Secretary D Raja said the former Prime Minister had been taking up the cause of the farmers for several years now.

''His initiative will further help the cause of the farmers.'' The CPI leader said the Party National Executive, to be held on May 21 and 22, would discuss the entire gamut of political issues in the country including the situation in Uttar Pradesh.

RSP leader and MP Abani Roy said even as Mr Singh's move had to be seen in the future political developments, it must be appreciated for its advocacy of farmers, labourers and other weaker sections.

UNI KSA YA GC1644