CPI not averse to Nitish's grand alliance idea, if based on

CPI has responded positively to Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's proposal to forge a grand alliance of anti-BJP parties at the national level but with a rider that such an arrangement should be based on "alternative, pro-poor economic policies".
"We have seen that. Our reaction is positive to it. Nitish Kumar making such a proposal is good. There will be some minimum conditions to it. One is clarity on economic policies. It should not be a negative type of grand alliance. It should be an alternative (to the BJP) that can suggest alternative policies," CPI General Secretary S Sudhakar Reddy told PTI here.

Congress needs to "rethink" on its economic policies and adopt an approach that is pro-poor and against corporates that reap benefits at the cost of the poor, he said.
"Importantly, Congress needs to rethink its economic policies in a way they are against corporates and pro-poor. We are not asking for nationalisation of all corporates. This 'crony capitalism' should end. There should be an effort to see that some do not draw additional advantages as they do in the prevailing capitalist system. There should also be commitment against corruption. Public support will come if such positive things are there," the CPI leader said.

Noting that all parties opposed to the BJP may not join the platform, he felt that the proposed alliance would take shape in part ahead of elections and in full in the post- election scenario.
"I do not think all the non-BJP or anti-BJP parties will join in it. There are groups in some states who contest against each other. We are of the opinion that this (anti-BJP alliance) will come partly in pre-election scenario and mature fully in the post-election situation," he said.

Favouring formulation of a policy framework like Common Minimum Programme agreed by all those forming part of the alliance, Reddy said such an alternative set of policies will make it more "attractive" for the parties to join it.

The larger unity of anti-BJP parties should happen
"step-by-step" in the run-up to 2019 elections with a relevant atmosphere established in the state elections coming up, the CPI leader said.
"Elections are taking place in many states. This does not involve in five states where elections are taking place now. Then Uttar Pradesh and Punjab elections are there. Those with anti-BJP views need to come together. After that Madhya Pradesh and probably Rajasthan elections are going to take place. In all these elections, such an environment needs to be built up," he said.
It can be a step-by-step process ahead of the 2019 elections and it is the policies which are more important in that process, he said.

Some parties appeared to have reacted negatively to Nitish Kumar because of the fear that he would be focused as Prime Minister, he said.
The Left parties need not be a part of such an anti-BJP alliance, but they will think of supporting such a coalition if it comes up with policy-based alternative, Reddy said.
"Left will think of supporting if such a policy, programmatic alternative emerges. We need not be part of it. We can support it," he said.
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar recently said he was trying to play a "catalyst" role to unite anti-BJP forces to defeat the saffron party and was not a claimant to any post, but added that "if a person is destined to become the Prime Minister, he would become the PM one day".

"I am not a claimant to any post. All I am saying is that we all should unite (against BJP). Is it a crime to appeal the people to unite," Kumar had said while addressing JD(U)s national council meeting.
Recently, Kumar had called upon on like-minded parties to unite for a "Sangh-free" country and repeat the Bihar experiment at the national level to oust the BJP in the 2019 general elections, triggering speculation that he could lead such a front.
On the current round of Assembly elections, Reddy hoped that Left would form the government in West Bengal as a higher turnout out of voters generally indicated an anti-incumbency mood.

"We feel quite positive, because of the big participation. More than 80 per cent of people turned out (for voting). 78 per cent came in fourth phase also. We feel such a big participation indicates the dissatisfaction of people against the policies of the incumbent government. We hope a Left government would be formed there," he said.
In the event of a hung verdict in West Bengal, formation of government would be discussed after the elections on the basis of number of seats, Reddy added.