Mulayam meets Bardhan

As parleys among non-Congress, non-BJP parties over possible political alliances picked up heat, Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav today met veteran CPI leader A B Bardhan here and discussed the evolving political situation.
The emerging political situation came up for discussion at the meeting, in which Bardhan said a non-Congress, non-BJP platform could be possible only after the elections, CPI sources said.
However, the two leaders felt the need to step up campaign on crucial issues affecting the people, they said.
Earlier, Bardhan opposed the idea of a Federal Front mooted by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, saying such a platform was neither feasible nor would it inspire people's confidence.

Instead, a non-Congress, non-BJP coalition pursuing credible alternate policies on people's issues would be accepted by the electors.
"The idea of a 'Federal Front' floated by one or two chief ministers, which is supposed to bring together the chief ministers of states who have grievances against the step- motherly treatment meted out by the Congress-ruled Centre, is neither feasible nor likely to inspire confidence among the voters," Bardhan said.

Maintaining that people wanted a government whose policies were opposed to the 'anti-people policies' being pursued by the UPA government, he said, "These policies have also the support of Opposition BJP which is now set on a strident communal course with the elevation of Narendra Modi."

He said that only a non-Congress, non-BJP coalition "which pursues credible alternate policies on people's issues and which steers the country on a Left and democratic course is the need of the hour."
"Such a programme-based coalition government can emerge through struggles and may be after the polls. Only such a Front can provide a viable alternative to the present dispensation," the veteran leader said, adding that the Left parties were working towards that end.