Non-Cong, non-BJP formation will emerge after LS polls: CPI(M)

New Delhi: CPI(M) is optimistic about a non-Congress, non-BJP formation emerging after the next general elections, even as it indicated on Monday that it may have adjustments with regional parties in certain states. The two-day Central Committee meeting here debated the issue, as it decided to launch nationwide protests over the next few weeks on issues like right to food and land, education and health and against corruption, which could form the basis of a minimum programme to attract other secular parties to the non-Congress, non-BJP platform. "At the national level, such an alternative may not be possible now. But after the elections, some leaders say there will be a bright prospect for such an alternative," CPI(M) General Secretary Prakash Karat told reporters here.

Replying to questions, he said the party`s electoral tactics would be that the Left parties would fight unitedly and there could be some electoral adjustments in some states. The Central Committee discussed preparations for the programme of picketing and demonstrations from the second half of May on the issues of right to land and housing sites, curbing price rise and right to food, right to education and health, right to employment, ensuring social justice, farmers issues, FDI in retail trade and against corruption. The issues would be those on which an alternative platform to Congress and BJP could be projected, which could attract secular parties to accept such a common minimum programme (CMP) based on them, party sources said. CPI(M)`s strength has come down sharply from 44 in the 14th Lok Sabha to 16 now. PTI