CPI(M) meet talks long-term ties with Maya

In his report to the committee, Karat also mentioned his meeting with Mayawati, hinting at the future prospect of working with her.

The CPI(M) received support from Mayawati's Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) on the Indo-US nuclear deal recently. For the first time since its inception, the BSP has joined hands with the CPI(M) on an issue as the two parties decided to co-operate to defeat the government in Parliament.

This took place along with discussions on the possibility of early Lok Sabha election. The CPI(M) feels the government may survive the trust vote on July 22 but may go for an election in November or December. The committee also discussed preparations for such a possibility.

Insiders said many committee members pointed out the potential of Mayawati in the emerging political situation. Although it is not clear how far the CPI(M) can get along with the BSP given that the communists regard it as a casteist force, the party wants to approach Mayawati with an open mind now that the SP has switched sides.

Many members also asked why Somnath Chatterjee has not resigned from the Lok Sabha Speaker's post.

However, the top leadership of the party is averse to putting pressure on Chatterjee due to the fear that he may resign both the Speaker's chair and the Lok Sabha membership after July 22.

In its party congress held in April 2008, the CPI(M) acknowledged that "the BSP has emerged as a strengthened force after the elections in Uttar Pradesh. It has used its base among the dalits to build a wider coalition of caste politics. This sort of caste based political mobilisation is sought to be introduced in other states by the BSP. This will have a major impact in parts of northern and western India."