“The CPI (M) had all along, in the Political Resolutions of successive Party Congresses articulated the need for the creation of a third political alternative that can effect a progressive shift in the policy trajectory of the country. Such an alternative cannot, obviously, be a cut and paste arrangement on the eve of elections. This can only emerge through sustained popular struggles. There are no short cuts,” it said in an editorial in the party organ People’s Democracy…More

After an eight-hour meeting yesterday, where leaders from West Bengal were said to attributed their rout to the Third Front fancy and the decision to withdraw support to the UPA, the Politburo decided to share the blame saying “state-specific factors” were also responsible for the defeat…More

This desire was triggered by the pre-poll prospect of political instability thrown up by the Third Front trying to emerge as a balancing force with respect to the formation of a government at the Centre, he added…More

CPI sources said, “In West Bengal we have been pointing out the arrogant behaviour of Bhattacharjee during Singur and Nandigram but CPM never listened to us. We had doubts about third front also.”

This seems to be a reflection of long-felt anger of smaller Left parties against CPM as the third front idea was aggressively pushed by Karat…More

The Third Front, which came into being less than a year ago on a non-Congress, non-BJP platform, is in tatters after the electoral debacle and the partners seem to be drifting apart.

The proposed meeting to review the post-election scenario and chalk out their future course of action has been called off, while a key partner JD(S) “may consider” supporting the Congress-led coalition.

BSP supremo and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati is expected to arrive in the national capital on Monday, but no meetings are scheduled with any of the Left leaders. TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu is unlikely to come to Delhi…More

While the Left’s disgraceful defeat reduced it to political inconsequence, the performance of the other players of the group—TDP and AIADMK—did not reach the expected levels. The AIADMK could not reverse electoral fortunes in Tamil Nadu and the TDP failed to wipe out the Congress in Andhra Pradesh.

Mr Karat and company had hinged their calculations on three factors—neither the Congress nor BJP would get the numbers, NDA’s allies may follow the BJD and disaffection of the UPA’s allies towards the Congress.

The unravelling of Mr Prakash Karat’s aspiration had already begun before the poll verdict was out. The TRS joined the NDA brigade. JD-S leader HD Devegowda’s son Kumaraswamy paid a visit to the Congress headquarters. AIADMK supremo Jayalalithaa had kept her post-poll options open. ..More

The meeting at the CPI(M) headquarters was attended by CPI(M)’s Prakash Karat and Sitaram Yechury, CPI’s A B Bardhan and D Raja, RSP’s T J Chandrachoodan and Forward Bloc’s Debabrata Biswas and D Deverajan.

On whether the Third Front has become irrelevant, he said, “Temporarily it has. But with one defeat, you cannot write it off completely.”

He also said meeting of the Third Front allies is unlikely to take place tomorrow…More

The highly inflated ego balloon has been PUNCUTURED. The stock market is expected to rise heavily on Monday.

“Since we may not be able to form the government on our own, we will seek the support of other parties,” he said but did not name them.

Talking to The Hindu from Bangalore, Mr. Gowda, said he was in regular touch with CPI(M) general secretary Prakash Karat and CPI general secretary A.B. Bardhan discussing the political developments…More