CPI threatens to field candidates against CPI(M)

Thiruvananthapuram/New Delhi, Mar 13 (PTI) Seat-sharing
talks in the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) appeared to be
tottering Friday with the Communist Party of India (CPI)
threatening to field candidates in all constituencies of the
CPI(M) in the Lok Sabha polls if it was not allowed to contest
the Ponanni seat.

"There is no going back on our demand for four seats
including Ponnani. We will not surrender to the CPI(M)'s
strategy of containing the partners. We are ready to face any
consequences arising from our decision," CPI state Secretary
Veliyam Bhargavan told reporters here.

In Delhi, some members of the CPI(M) Politburo, including
General Secretary Prakash Karat, discussed the issue with
senior leader M K Pandhe saying the party was hopeful that the
issue would be "resolved at the state level".

"We are still hopeful that the issue will be resolved
locally. We should try to maintain our unity till the end. I
hope common sense will prevail," he told reporters.

The CPI(M) has decided to field a "common LDF
independent" in Ponnani, represented by CPI in the 14th Lok
Sabha, as a tactical move to muster Muslim support from
parties like the PDP of Abdul Nasser Madani.

Bhargavan said the CPI would field its nominees in all
the seats except those allotted to the non-CPI(M) LDF allies
JD(S) and Kerala Congress (Joseph) faction. The party
executive would meet on March 16 to select candidates, he
said.

After the politburo meeting, Karat is understood to
have had a telephonic conversation with CPI General Secretary
A B Bardhan to resolve the crisis.

CPI leader D Raja said "we are asking for four seats like
last time. These include Ponnani. We should have a say in
deciding as to who we should put up as a candidate there."

"The CPI(M) should agree to this or take the
responsibility for the consequences," the CPI leader told PTI
in New Delhi. Besides Ponnani, the CPI fought 2004 polls from
Thrissur, Thiruvananthapuram and Mavalikkara constituencies.

In Kozhikode, the CPI(M) wants to field its nominee but
JD(S), which won the seat last time, persisted with its
demand to contest from the constituency.

Asked if the CPI central leadership would agree to
parting of ways by the two main Communist parties, Bhargavan
shot back saying "I am part of the Central leadership".

Coming out strongly against CPI(M)'s attitude towards
seat sharing, Bharghavan said it has become a practice for
CPI(M) to take away the seats of its allies. "They took the
seats of RSP, Kerala Congress (S) and also that of JD(S). Now
they are trying to snatch the seats of CPI," he said, adding
"our party will not allow this to happen.

Asked whether the development means breaking up of the
Front, he shot back, "what else could this mean." It was
CPI(M)'s responsibility to see that the coalition is not
broken, he said. "In case it breaks, CPI(M) will be
responsible," he added. PTI JRK
DEP