CPI for breaking ties with TDP

HYDERABAD, April 6: Setting at rest the uncertainty in the CPI's relationship with the Telugu Desam party in Andhra Pradesh, party general s...

HYDERABAD, April 6: Setting at rest the uncertainty in the CPI8217;s relationship with the Telugu Desam party in Andhra Pradesh, party general secretary A B Bardhan has advised the state unit to sever ties with the regional party as the latter decided to support the Bharatiya Janata Party at the Centre.

Addressing the CPI state council meeting here today, he said that the TDP had gone too far and was even preparing the ground to join the Vajpayee government in the near future. 8220;In these circumstances, it is difficult to continue the relationship with the party,8221; he is understood to have said.

Bardhan8217;s comments came in the wake of reports that there was a difference of opinion among the State CPI unit on continuing alliance with the TDP at the State level, despite the latter8217;s decision to align with the BJP at the Centre.

However, Bardhan too left the final decision on the issue to the local leaders. 8220;I am only expressing my views on the issue and it is for you to come a conclusion on it,8221; he told thegathering that assembled here for two days of deliberations.

A section of State leaders are of the view that it is too premature to sever ties with the ruling party as still there was scope for an alliance between the Left parties and the TDP. According to their analysis, any hasty move by the Left allies would push the TDP into the BJP camp irrevocably.

Surprisingly, there were few takers for the theory as most of the members who spoke at the meeting argued for cutting relations with the TDP in view of the party8217;s alliance with communal forces8217;. In all, 39 speakers expressed their views and barring two all favoured ending ties with the TDP.

Another interesting fact was that including CPI legislature party leader Puvvada Nageswara Rao, who is known for his pro-TDP inclination, all the MLAs fell in line with the majority opinion and only two members from East Godavari and Prakasam supported the soft approach towards the TDP.

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Aware of the differences in the state unit on the issue, Bardhan took almostone and a half hours to explain the political developments at the Centre after the Lok Sabha elections and the role played by United Front convener and Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu.

Bardhan was of the firm view that Naidu had already decided to join the BJP-led government and the move was only put on hold in view of the resignation of a Muslim minister from his Cabinet. He said that the chief minister8217;s statement that he would not join the government need not be taken seriously.

According to him, the chief minister also came to an understanding with the BJP to declare snap polls to the State Assembly. The CPI leader was also angry with Naidu for accusing the UF leaders of insulting him in supporting a Congress candidate for the Lok Sabha Speaker8217;s post.