Assam to witness hung assembly: Bardhan

Bhopal, May 6 (UNI) Predicting a hung in Asom, CPI General Secretary A B Bardhan today claimed the results of Assembly polls in five states would lead to the Left parties' dominance and enhanced pressure on the Congress-led UPA government.

''There is no apprehension of a mid term general election. The communists will extend outside support to the Asom government that will comprise the Asom Gana Parishad, Bodo, Karbi and other parties,'' he told reporters here.

Mr Bardhan claimed that the Left would assume power by a thumping majority in West Bengal and Kerala.

''In Tamil Nadu, the DMK will form an alliance government and the J Jayalalitha-led AIADMK will be swept away. As per a preliminary estimate, the Congress is close to assuming the reins only in Pondicherry,'' he claimed Opposing the hike in fuel and LPG prices, Mr Bardhan said by scheduling a May 8 cabinet meeting, the Centre aggravated the apprehension of another hike but the communists would oppose any such decision tooth and nail.

''The Centre is not adopting alternatives suggested by Left parties for arresting price hike. In the context of petro products, the Congress intention is not noble. In the next session of Parliament, the communists will oppose the Government on issues such as the present form of the Tribal Forest Rights Bill, resettlement of Sardar Sarovar Project oustees in Madhya Pradesh and the Centre's anti-labour policies,'' he warned.

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