Left parties to review strategy vis-a-vis Congress

With the Congress facing a series of poll reverses in various states, the four Left parties are planning to have a re-look at their ties with the ruling party in view of the upcoming Lok Sabha polls.

Top leaders of CPI(M), CPI, RSP and Forward Bloc are expected to meet in the third week of this month to devise a common stand, the four parties should have vis-a-vis the Congress in view of the elections. At the meeting, the four parties will also discuss ways to resolve their inter-party wranglings and strengthen their unity further.

"Normally, the Left parties hold deliberations only on specific issues like the nuclear deal or price rise. But the upcoming meeting will discuss what stand the Left parties should have vis-a-vis the government and elections," said Forward Bloc Secretary G Devarajan.

He said the meeting will deliberate on the overall relationship between the Congress-led government and Left parties in view of the ruling coalition "fast losing ground due to its anti-people policies."

"The Left parties have to take note of people's anger against the government. We cannot turn a blind eye towards people's aspirations," he said.

The RSP's decision to quit the UPA-Left Coordination Committee and its call to other Left parties to reconsider continuance of support are also expected to come up at the meeting.

The Forward Bloc is not happy with the RSP taking a unilateral decision, but will demand a discussion on the latter's suggestion that it was "high time to withdraw support to the UPA government".