CPM outlines plans to forge third alternative

In worrying signals for the UPA barely a year ahead of Lok Sabha elections, the CPIM8217;s draft political resolution for the ensuing 19th Party Congress makes it clear that it will not enter into any alliance or united front with the Congress.

Releasing the draft here, CPIM General Secretary Prakash Karat asserted that the party will maintain relations with all 8220;non-Congress secular parties8221; for waging united struggles and joint actions on common issues.

He, however, remained non-committal on supporting the Congress-led coalition after the next Lok Sabha elections even though he repeatedly asserted the 8220;third alternative cannot be a mere electoral alliance to meet current exigencies8221;.

8220;We still want a secular government at the Centre. But we also want a government which does not follow such economic policies. How we can achieve that, we will have to wait and see,8221; he said when asked about the CPIM8217;s plans for 2009 elections.

On the Indo-US nuclear deal, he said there was no forward movement on it. 8220;It has gone to the IAEA. It will come back to the UPA-Left committee which we have set up. When that comes we will see. It is not going forward anywhere.8221;