CPM in a dilemma over UP electoral alliance

New Delhi, Nov 14 (UNI) The two-day polit bureau meeting of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) began here today to discuss the party's relations with the ruling UPA and the coming assembly election in Uttar Pradesh.

The meeting comes a day after the UPA-Left Coordination Committee meeting chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh last evening in which there was a consensus between the two sides on introducing the Women's Reservation Bill in the winter session of Parliament beginning on November 22.

The meeting, which was inconclusive, is expected to firm up the party's stance on the Tribal Bill, reduction in petrol and diesel prices and changes in the Special Economic Zone (SEZ) policy.

The electoral alliance for the Uttar Pradesh election is a worrying factor for the party after its Left ally, the CPI, decided to field candidates against the ruling Samajwadi Party (SP). With the election around the corner early next year, the CPI (M), which supports Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav, has to decide fast which way to go to stop the BJP in its tracks in the political minefield of Uttar Pradesh.

CPI (M) general secretary Prakash Karat declined comment on the polit bureau discussions so far. ''We discussed several issues and the meeting is continuing,'' Mr Karat told UNI.

The meeting is expected to conclude in the afternoon tomorrow.

Traditionally, the party general secretary briefs the press after a polit bureau meeting.

Yesterday, Mr Karat said his party had told the UPA on the importance of bringing the Women's Reservation Bill to reserve 33 per cent of seats in assemblies and Parliament to women in the winter session. The UPA has agreed to the Left demand and would now go to its allies in the ruling coalition for a final decision.

The government's decision to not effect a revision in the fuel prices increased last June has disappointed the CPI (M). Mr Karat had personally written a letter to the Prime Minister a week ago seeking a cut in the price of petrol by Rs 4 and that of diesel by Rs 2.

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