Sitaram Yechury denies Modi wave in the country

Kochi, April 3: CPI(M) today dismissed BJP's claim of a "Modi wave" and wanted to know why it was keen that its Prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi fought from two places, including Varanasi, a safe constituency.

"If you have a wave going on, why should there be a so much of search for a safe constituency and that the candidate will fight only from Varanasi," senior CPI(M) leader Sitaram Yechury told a meet-the-press programme organised by the Ernakulam Press Club here.

The left parties were working with "strong" regional parties to form a non-Congress non-BJP alternative after the Lok Sabha polls, the Marxist leader said.

Post elections, party's central committee will take a decision on whether or not to join the government if the third alternative became a reality, he said. Yechury expressed optimism that the Left parties would be able to achieve what they did in 2004 polls. The tally will be better than 2009, he said.

Yechury: Why has the threat from communal forces risen to such an extent

In Kerala, it will be better than 2009 when it managed only four seats. In West Bengal, there was very high degree of terror and intimidation from Trinamool Congress, he alleged. Asked about Defence Minsiter, A K Antony's comment that CPI(M) would support a Congress-led front after the polls to keep BJP at bay, Yechury said "Antony is a very senior leader. He may have his opinion.

"Why has the threat from communal forces risen to such an extent today? Who is responsbile?" he asked blaming Congress party's policies for the situation. According to Yechury, Congress has to establish its credientials before the people that they are formally against communal forces.

On RSP joining Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF), he said it was "unfortunate". "RSP is a very important party of the Left front in West Bengal."

PTI