The Hindu : CPI(M) will work for secular coalition: Yechury

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Friday, Feb 06, 2004

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CPI(M) will work for secular coalition: Yechury

By Our Special Correspondent

MADURAI, FEB. 5. The CPI(M) politburo member, Sitaram Yechury, today made it clear that the party would back a secular coalition, including the Congress, at the Centre after the Lok Sabha elections, though the Left would not join the Government.

Addressing a press conference here, he said considering its track record in the last four Lok Sabha elections, the CPI(M) was likely to improve its position by bagging around 40 seats out of the 70 seats it was likely to contest. The `solid block' of about 50 MPs of the Left parties would be the backbone of the secular front, he said.

Asked if there was any scope for the Left striking a `historic compromise' with the Congress in its fight against the BJP and its allies, he said: "the Left is very clear that in the post-election scenario, it will work for and support a secular coalition, which will include Congress also." As the CPI(M)'s topmost priority was to defeat the BJP and its allies, it would consolidate the Left Front, besides having seat adjustments with secular parties to avoid division ofvotes, even while avoiding a joint front or campaign with the Congress.

The prospects of the secular parties in the coming polls were very bright. Details such as the nature of the coalition and its leadership would be decided after the elections, he said.

Asked if the BJP's campaign on the Congress president, Sonia Gandhi's `foreign origin' would have an impact on the poll, he said such issues were brought to the fore only with a view to diverting the people's attentionfrom basic issues.

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