Shekhawat's move to contest polls as Independent 'unhealthy': Left

New Delhi, Jun 1: Vice President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat's reported move to contest the Presidential polls as an Independent today drew criticism from the the Left parties, who termed it an 'unhealthy attempt, aimed to promote cross-voting within the UPA ranks.' Top leaders of the CPI(M), CPI, RSP and the Forward Bloc said Mr Shekhawat's decision to contest as an Independent in order to shrug off his 'saffron tag', however, demonstrated that the BJP was losing acceptance across the political spectrum in the country.

Senior CPI(M) leader Mohammad Salim said the BJP was 'fast losing its acceptance across the the broad political spectrum in the country', while RSP leader Abani Roy remarked that his move was 'not going to help him either.' Mr Salim, the party's deputy leader in the Lok Sabha, also noted that said the whole exercise of Mr Shekhwat seemed to be ensuring that some votes of the UPA allies and non-Congress formations could be gained, citing how he had managed to get as many as 57 votes from the Opposition camp during the Vice-Presidential polls in 2002.

''The calculated move is primarily aimed to woo the support of non NDA parties like the Samajwadi Party, AIADMK, TDP and some other small parties, who may have reservations in backing a BJP-sponsored candidate,'' he added.

On the Gujjars' agitation in Rajasthan, senior CPI(M) leader Nilotpal Basu said the problem in Rajasthan had arisen because of 'certain narrow electoral interests.' ''The present BJP leadership in the state appeased different social groups during the elections, which led to atmosphere of confrontation,'' the party Central Committeee member and former Rajya Sabh MP said, adding it was 'unfortunate that the BJP played the caste card in the state.' ''These designs can pay dividends for a short period only and not in the long run,'' he said.

Senior leader S Sudhakar Reddy and the RSP leader Abani Roy also noted that the violence had now spilled over outside the state, with incidents reported in the national capital and Gurgaon.

Appealing to various political parties and media not to overplay the issue, the leaders noted that the Rajasthan Chief Minister had, during her election speeches, promised to set up a committee to consider the Gujjars' demand for according the community ST status.

''But she did not set up the committee,'' they noted, adding that while the Meenas, who enjoy ST status, are much more forward than the Gujjars. ''Most of them are in a better position in terms of employment including in All India services like the IAS and IPS.'' The Left leaders also stressed that the administration should not treat it as a law and order problem, but essentially a 'socio- economic and political issue.' ''Besides the aspirations of the people in getting share in the development has to be recognised,'' he said.

Mr Salim said the both the Central and state governments should also take remedial measures without further delay as the ''caste conflict is fraught with dangers of taking the form of a Gujjars versus Meenas clash.'' On the fast ever growth rate with the GDP rising to 9.4 during 2006-07, the CPI(M) leader said that the 9.4 per cent rise was ''not an achievement in itself.'' ''The basic question is how this growth is being shared by various sections of society,'' he said.

Endorsing his viewpoint, the other Left leaders said even though the services and the manufactures sector had witnessed double digit growth, but the situation on the prices front, in employment generation and agriculture was not encouraging.

Mining, electricity generation and quartying sectors also witnessed slow growth, they added.

UNI