The UP effect: CPM cosies up to SP again

When Mulayam Singh Yadav walked into A K G Bhawan his first visit to the CPI(M) headquarters after the Samajwadi Party dumped the Left for the Congress

When Mulayam Singh Yadav walked into A K G Bhawan today his first visit to the CPI(M) headquarters after the Samajwadi Party dumped the Left for the Congress nearly four years ago to meet Prakash Karat,it was an apparent course correction for both. Neither talked of the much-speculated third front,but the signals were clear.

Four years ago,when Mulayam switched sides at the last moment to support the UPA in the trust vote,Karat knocked on the doors of BSP chief Mayawati to forge an ambitious alliance. Karat had even turned down a request from Amar Singh,who was then in the SP,for a meeting.

With todays meeting,the SP indicated that it would not walk into any political front which is propped up by NDA allies,and would prefer to join hands with secular forces. The CPI(M),on its part,signalled that it wants the SP by its side.

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Karat told The Indian Express that he would attend the swearing-in ceremony of Akhilesh Yadav,who accompanied his father to the CPI(M) headquarters.

We basically discussed the UP elections. They told me how they won the elections and what type of campaign they did. They had an extensive campaign,even door-to-door in many places, said Karat. They said the kranti yatra was very helpful, he added.

Karat said the issue of a third front was not discussed in their 20-minute meeting.

Despite their differences over the nuclear deal,the SP and the Left had come together on issues like the price rise. We had together given a call for a general strike in 2010. Mulayam may not have come to our office,but I have met him at his residence on a couple of occasions. We have been in regular touch, said Karat.

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Buddha,Biman invited for swearing-in
Kolkata: The Samajwadi Party has invited senior CPI(M) leaders Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee and Biman Bose for Akhilesh Yadavs swearing-in ceremony. I would attend the swearing-in ceremony. Buddhadeb,however,will not be going to Uttar Pradesh, said Bose.

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