"Desperate" Cong, BJP wooing third front allies: CPI

Expressing confidence that its allies in Third Front will not desert the alliance, the CPI today said the efforts of Congress and BJP to woo them shows "lust for power" and "desperation" of both the parties.  

Party National Secretary D Raja said the Left parties will hold consultations among its allies and a "collective decision" will be taken by them on how to go about in the post poll scenario.  

"As far as our allies are concerned, they are with us. We are talking to them and I cannot foresee any division among us," Raja told reporters here.  

Asked how confident his party was about its allies as they were being wooed by Congress and BJP, he said it showed the "desperation" on part of both the parties. "It also shows the lust for power of the Congress and BJP," he added.  

On whether the Left will support a Congress-led government, Raja said they were striving for a non-Congress secular government. 

"Once the results are out, we will assess the verdict of people and we have called the meeting of our national executive and national council," he added.  

"We will consult among our allies whatever we will decide. I think it will be a collective decision and we will take collective steps," he said.

Asked whether the Left has opened a window open to do business with Congress, he said, "I do not agree with the word business. We are all political parties. Results will come tomorrow, we will come to know the mandate of the people."  

Raja said the CPI did not want BJP to take any advantage of emerging situations but "at the same time, we don't want a government led by Congress. So, we have considered various pros and cons of the emerging situation".  On whether they will accept Samajwadi Party in the Third Front, Raja did not give a direct reply.  

"I don't know about what (SP General Secretary) Amar Singh is saying. I have not spoken to him. He had not spoken to me."  

"The SP did not do that (support the Third Front) at the time of confidence vote. It is now for the SP to do what they want to do," he said.  

On the role of JD(S), the CPI leader said its chief H D Deve Gowda has categorical stated that they will play a key role in the Third Front. 

"Even H D Kumaraswamy told us that despite his meeting with Sonia Gandhi, JD(S) will be with Third Front, then why should I doubt," said Raja.