CPI gears up to form front for ousting SP

While there are hints of the CPI(M) working out a “broad adjustment with the SP”, the CPI national executive meeting beginning tomorrow...

While there are hints of the CPI(M) working out a “broad adjustment with the SP”, the CPI national executive meeting beginning tomorrow is expected to put in place a strategy to defeat the Samajwadi Party and the BJP in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls.

The CPI(M) has announced that it will contest 16 seats amid indications of a “broader adjustment with the SP” for preventing a division in secular votes.

The party also plans to carry out an in-depth study of the results of the recent Assembly polls in three states. “We will analyse the election results in Punjab, Manipur and Uttarakhand,” said CPI national secretary D Raja.

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“Our objective is to ensure that SP is unseated and, at the same time, also not allow BJP and the reactionary forces to gain strength,” Raja said, referring to UP. The national secretary said a broad secular front, comprising the V P Singh-led Jan Morcha, Ram Vilas Paswan’s Lok Janshakti Party, Ajit Singh’s Rashtriya Lok Dal and the CPI, has emerged in the state.

When asked about the CPI(M)’s stand, which has decided to contest 16 seats independently, he said: “We want the CPI(M) and the Congress to decide. There will be no conflict with the CPI(M).”

Police personnel seen to control the situation during a massive protest over the statehood demand and the inclusion of Ladakh under the Sixth Schedule, in Leh on Wednesday. (ANI Video Grab)

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