CPI(M) rules out Third Front

  Inspite of "electoral disaster" in
West Bengal and Kerala, the CPI(M) today ruled out forming a
Third Front to counter the UPA or NDA in national politics,
while stressing that it would endeavour for a Left and
democratic alternative.
     "No Third Front will be formed to find an alternative.
There may be electoral alliance locally with non-BJP and
non-Congress democratic parties, but no Front will be formed,"
CPI(M) Politburo member Nirupam Sen told a press conference
here quoting party General Secretary Prakash Karat.
     Addressing the 23rd state conference of the party here,
Karat said that CPI(M) would strive for a Left and democratic
alternative to the UPA and NDA.
    "For that we have to increase the strength of the Left
parties," Sen said quoting Karat.
    Admitting that CPI(M) had become weaker because of
"electoral disaster" in West Bengal and Kerala and that it has
also not become any stronger in other states, he said that the
party, keeping such a situation in view, would have to take
steps to increase its base.
    Sen said that Karat also discussed the draft political
resolution for the next party congress in Kerala to be held in
April to chalk out the party's strategy in view of present
political situation in the country.
     "The general secretary said that we have to organise
the poorer and backward classes as also the minorities to
fight the onslaught of capitalism and imperialism in the
country in order to find a Left alternative," Sen said.