Tripura Gantantrik Manch to offer 'alternative' to LF, Congress

AGARTALA, April 9 ? Tripura Gantantrik Manch (TGM) a breakway group of the ruling CPM has vowed to offer an ?alternative? to the present political equation dominated by ruling Left Front and opposition Congress. The Manch which maintains close relations with Party for Democratic Socialism (PDS) of Saifuddin Choudhury of West Bengal has kept doors open for all secular and democratic forces for the proposed ?alternative?. TGM leader and former MP Ajay Biswas said his party will contest the ensuing Assembly elections in Tripura. Preparations for fighting the polls have already started throughout the State, he said. ?We shall contest in maximum seats?, Biswas said but added that the fight in the polls is only a part of TGM?s attempt to strengthen the ?democratic movement? in all spheres of life, political or social. ?The democratic set-up has been crumbling in Tripura under the CPM rule. While the ruling front has resorted to intimidations and undemocratic means like transfer to throttle the democratic views, the Opposition Congress is also not in a position to give a better alternative. And the ultimate result is a widening vacuum in the body politik,? felt Biswas. ?We want to fill up this gap and create an alternative to restore the democratic rights of the people. Our fight will not only confine to elections, to capturing power only. We will try to spread the democratic movement across the political and social spectrum? he said. Biswas said, in this movement his party would also consider involvement of other secular forces in view of the demand at ground level. PDS which has already supported the TGM in Tripura is on the other hand is leaving no stone unturned to consolidate the ?like-minded forces? throughout the country. ?Ours is a small party no doubt, but we could make our presence felt during the last one year or so? said, Samir Patatunda, PDS leader from West Bengal. He said some political forces from Orissa, Punjab, Kerala, Assam are already in contact with the PDS. A convention of all these forces will be held in New Delhi at the late part of next month from where a consolidated forum is expected to emerge.