CPI-M aims to broaden base in north

Aiming at broadening its base in northern states, CPI(M) would put up candidates from Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar in the 2014 general elections by reaching electoral understanding and seat adjustments with secular Opposition parties.
Apart from these states, the major Left party would also contest from Assam, Maharashtra and Karnataka, among others.
A decision to this effect was taken at the just-concluded meeting of the CPI(M) Central Committee in Agartala.
Observing that the success of BJP in the latest assembly polls "cannot be seen as the national pattern", the party said it was a reflection of the "anger of the people against the Congress due to price rise, high-level corruption and other anti-people policies".

While reviewing the preparations for the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, the party's state units reported finalisation of the seats to be contested in several states including Assam, Punjab, Haryana, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.
Apart from West Bengal, Tripura and Kerala, the CPI(M) may also contest from Tamil Nadu where it already has an MP.
On the lessons drawn from the Delhi assembly elections, the Central Committee observed that wherever there was a viable alternative to Congress and BJP, the people have extended support to it which explained the Aam Aadmi Party winning 28 seats.
Maintaining that the four states which went to polls recently had a bipolar situation with Congress and BJP being the main contestants, it felt that this was not the scene in most other states where "the fight is between the Congress and the regional parties or the Left and in some states, there is a three-way contest. Hence the success of the BJP cannot be seen as the national pattern".