New Delhi, Apr 27: Asserting that an "alternative secular" government would be in place after elections as the NDA would be "fairly short" of majority, CPI(M) today said the question of leadership of such a government would be decided after the polls. "Whether a single party is supported by other secular forces to form government or the secular parties themselves do it together..., one thing is clear that there will be an alternative government at the Centre and it will come about following the defeat of the NDA," party polit bureau member Sitaram Yechury told reporters here.
The question of leadership would be decided after the elections depending upon the respective strengths of the secular parties. "Who will lead the government will depend upon the number of seats these (secular) parties get," he said.
Asked whether the support of NDA partners who could "desert" the BJP-led alliance after the polls would be taken, Yechury said "we don't think that would be necessary. Their (NDA partners') numbers will not be required".
To a question about a scenario in which the BJP would strive to win over support of some secular parties in its bid to form government, he said "since the BJP and its allies will be defeated, it will be difficult for those defeated to garner enough support. Remember that seven secular parties deserted NDA before these elections. Many more will be biting the dust now".
Bureau Report