BSP important, Maya among PM contenders, says CPM

The CPM has termed its strategy as one of 8220;defeating the BJP and rejecting the Congress8221; in run-up to the Assembly elections in six states and the Lok Sabha.

The CPM has termed its strategy as one of 8220;defeating the BJP and rejecting the Congress8221; in run-up to the Assembly elections in six states and the Lok Sabha.

Talking to reporters on Tuesday, after a three-day session of the party8217;s Central Committee here, general secretary Prakash Karat said 8220;the party will adopt an electoral platform aiming to defeat the BJP, which is a communal party advocating reactionary economic policies, and for rejecting the Congress that is forging a strategic alliance with the US and pursuing anti-people economic policies8221;.

Karat8217;s revelation of his party8217;s poll strategy coincided with the Election Commission8217;s announcement to hold elections in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Delhi, Mizoram and Chhatisgarh. The EC postponed a decision on Jammu and Kashmir for the time being.

Karat also did not rule out the possibility of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati being one of the contenders for the Prime Minister8217;s post after the Lok Sabha elections.

8220;The BSP is an important political party ruling the largest state in our country. We expect them to fare well in the forthcoming Lok Sabha polls. It will depend on the mandate after the elections and she will be among the ones,8221; Karat said when asked whether his party will support Mayawati as the next Prime Minister.

After the CPM8217;s withdrawal of support to the Manmohan Singh Government on the issue of Indo-US civil nuclear deal, the party has attached much importance to the economic issues being followed by the Centre rather than hitting on the nuke deal issue. At the same time, it has also criticised the Congress-led coalition Government for its 8220;pro-US stance8221;.

Karat denounced nationwide attacks on Christians and pulled up the Centre for being a mute spectator. 8220;All this is being done eyeing the upcoming polls. Attacks on Chtristian minorities are recurring in Orissa, Karnataka and other states. What happened in Kandhamal is shocking, now efforts are on to reconvert the victims. We want action against Bajrang Dal under the same laws which are used to curb terrorism,8221; he said.

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He announced that the party would conduct a nationwide campaign against terrorism and communalism from Octover 30 to November 5.

While approving the West Bengal CPIM and Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee8217;s way of handling the Singur situation, Karat also hoped that the Left Front Government would try to find out an alternative option in Singur after the Tata Motors8217; pullout.