The Hindu : No tie-up with Congress: CPI(M)

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Feb 09, 2004

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

No tie-up with Congress: CPI(M)

By Our Special Correspondent

VIJAYAWADA, FEB. 8. The CPI(M), while clarifying that there will be no formal alliance with the Congress in the coming elections, however, says that it is trying to avoid split in the Opposition vote. "Any split in the Opposition vote will only benefit the TDP-BJP combine," the CPI(M) State secretary, B.V. Raghavulu has said.

Addressing a public meeting organised by the party's Jaggayyapet division committee on Saturday, the Mr. Raghavulu cautioned people against voting back the TDP-BJP combine to power, as it would spell doom on them. The TDP, in fact, had recommended dissolution of the Assembly as its continuation would have forced the Government to present budget incorporating tough measures suggested by the World Bank. "The Government has put on hold the implementation of the conditionalities of the World Bank in view of elections. Once voted back to power, all the conditionalities would be implemented burdening the common man,'' he said.

Explaining the party's stand towards the Congress, he said the party would not have any tie-up with the Congress or any other Opposition parties. But, the CPI (M) would support the Opposition candidates wherever they were in a position to defeat the TDP-BJP combine.

Mr. Raghavulu expressed concern that the CPI was still in a state of dilemma over the possible alliance with the Congress and other parties like the Telangana Rashtra Samithi. "We hope it will come out on its stand on alliance,'' he said.

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Andhra Pradesh