CPI for new front to cheek BJP

GUWAHATI, April 7: The Communist Party of India (CPI) is of the view that efforts should be made to avoid division of the anti-BJP votes in the State and called for an alliance of the left, democratic and secular political parties. Talking to The Assam Tribune here today, senior CPI leader, Promode Gogoi, who resigned from the AGP-led Ministry recently, said that efforts are on to form an alliance of the constituents of the Peoples' Front. He said that CPI Rajya Sabha member Drupad Borgohain yesterday had informal talks with the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) president Tarun Gogoi about the possibility of an alliance between the Left, democratic and secular forces. He said that nothing concrete has so far emerged out of the meeting. Gogoi said that the BJP has been trying its best to come to power in Assam with the help of the AGP and expressed apprehension that the party would use its money power and the administration. He said that the main target of the CPI is to prevent the BJP from establishing its foothold in Assam as "the party would destroy the very social fabric of Assam with its policies." For the last five years, the CPI, as a part of the AGP-led alliance Government, was a vocal critic of the Congress. When asked as to how an alliance between the Congress and the CPI would be feasible, Gogoi expressed the view that the political situation in Assam demands consolidation of the anti-BJP votes. He said that the parties should act as per the political situation. He pointed out that in West Bengal and Kerala, the Congress is the main enemy of the CPI, while, in Tamil Nadu, the DMK-BJP alliance is the main enemy of the Left parties. In Assam, the AGP-BJP combine has become a major force and "we must fight together to defeat that force." He also said that the CPI has no objection in talking with the Regional Democratic Front headed by the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). The CPI leader said that preparations are on by his party to contest in 45 seats subject to alliances and hoped that a clear picture of the possible alliances would emerge by April 16. It may be mentioned here that a meeting of the constituents of the Peoples' Front - CPI, CPM, Samajwadi Party, Janata Dal (Secular) and the RSP was held yesterday to work out a possible alliance. The meeting demanded the resignation of the Vajpayee Government in view of the Tehelka exposure. However, it remains to be seen whether the Peoples' Front alliance becomes a reality because of ideological difference between the parties. The CPI is in favour of an alliance with the Congress, while, the CPM is of the view that equal distance should be maintained from the Congress and the BJP.