CPM won't join any Govt at the Centre: Somnath | Latest News India - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

CPM won't join any Govt at the Centre: Somnath

PTI | ByPress Trust of India, Bolpur
May 01, 2004 08:03 PM IST

Giving a blow to the spurt of activity in CPM, the Marxist leader has said the party won't join any Govt at the Centre.

With CPI (M) upbeat on revival of the third front in forming a secular government at the Centre, party stalwart and candidate for Bolpur Lok Sabha seat Somnath Chatterjee on Saturday said his party will not join such a government and instead extend issue-based support to it.

HT Image
HT Image

"We have not joined any political front at the central level and, if required, we will extend issue-based support to the government. We will not compromise with our basic ideology," Chatterjee, who was CPI(M) chief whip in the 13th Lok Sabha, said.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

Chatterjee, who has held Bolpur seat since 1981 after his 1984 defeat in Calcutta South constituency against then Congress candidate Mamata Banerjee, is hopeful that more Left candidates would win and it would influence post-poll politics to keep BJP-led NDA out of power.

Though his main opponent in Bolpur, Nationalist Trinamool Congress candidate Dr Nirmal Maji, is a relative newcomer in politics and a first-time contestant from Bolpur, Chatterjee is not taking any chances.

"Since the announcement of the elections, I have been visiting the interiors of my constituency. I and my party workers campaign for 12 hours daily. This gives me a scope to know the problems of the constituency and enable the common people to tell me directly about their needs," he said.

For Chatterjee, the campaign also allows him to take his ideology to the people. "To us, every election is a battle of ideologies. We take the battle to the common man".

Charging the BJP with being bereft of policies, Chatterjee said, "To BJP, the support of 29 TDP MPs is more important than policies".

He said the 13th Lok Sabha was dissolved before its full term since the NDA government wanted to avoid the budget. "Presentation of a full budget would have exposed the reality of the economy and betrayed false claims".

The other reason for the early dissolution of the Lok Sabha, Chatterjee said was that the NDA could not bear the united attack of the Opposition on various issues.

Chatterjee, who spent over 30 years as parliamentarian, lamented that matters having "propaganda value" were gaining precedence in the House than national policies and issues. "Parliament is a place for discussing national policies and issues. But, unfortunately, discussions are becoming more constituency-centric and state-related issues often get raised. This is undesirable".

Unveiling Elections 2024: The Big Picture', a fresh segment in HT's talk show 'The Interview with Kumkum Chadha', where leaders across the political spectrum discuss the upcoming general elections. Watch now!

Get Current Updates on India News, Election 2024, Mukhtar Ansari Death News Live, Bihar Board 10th Result 2024 Live along with Latest News and Top Headlines from India and around the world.
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Friday, March 29, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On