The CPI(M) today virtually admitted that the Third Front experiment was a failure, saying that the alliances forged on the eve of the elections were not seen by the people as a "credible and viable alternative".
The party, however, also did not shy away from taking some credit for the UPA victory saying some of the measures adopted by the UPA like the NREGA, and the Forest Tribal Act were "pushed through under Left pressure".
It also noted that Congress gained more support amongst minorities and sections of secular minded people who were keen to ensure that the BJP does not make a comeback.
The CPI(M) was of the view that the alliance with certain non-Congress, non-BJP parties in various states was required so that a secular electoral alternative emerged.
"However, these alliances forged in some states on the eve of the elections were not seen by the people as a credible and viable alternative at the national level," the CPI(M) Polit Bureau said after analysing the electoral debacle.
"What stood the Congress in good stead were some of the measures adopted by the UPA government like the NREGA, the Forest Tribal Act and other social welfare measures which were pushed through under Left pressure," it said.
On the worst-ever drubbing received since its inception in 1964, it said "serious reverses" suffered by the Left in West Bengal and Kerala were a matter of "deep concern" and efforts will be made to win "support and confidence" of those sections who have been alienated.
The top decision making body of the CPI(M) had yesterday met here amid reports that knives were out for party General Secretary Prakash Karat and that West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee had offered to resign.
More From This Section
Noting that Congress has got an increased vote share of around three per cent and BJP's dipping by around 2.9 per cent, the CPI(M) assessed that the loss suffered by BJP vote share has more or less gone to the Congress.
"It should be noted that both the parties together have polled less than 49 per cent of the vote just like in the 2004 elections," the party said.
"The BJP has been rejected by the people as it could not offer anything beyond its communal agenda combined with rightwing economic policies which the people had already spurned in 2004.
"The rabid communal rhetoric of the likes of Varun Gandhi and Narendra Modi dominated its election campaign," it noted.
On Kerala and West Bengal, the party said it lost 25 sitting seats from these two states. The CPI(M) has won 16 seats with a vote share of 5.52 per cent which is marginally less than the 5.66 per cent it got in the 2004 Lok Sabha elections, it said.
"There should be a serious examination of the reasons for these reverses. Both national and state specific factors are responsible for the poor performance," it said.
The party also said a "self-critical review" will be conducted by the concerned state committees and the Central Committee which should form the basis for corrective steps.
The Polit Bureau also congratulated the people of Tripura for giving a massive victory to the two CPI(M)-Left Front candidates for the Lok Sabha. "It is remarkable that the Left Front could establish a lead in all the 60 assembly segments of the state," it said.
Accepting the people's verdict, it said the CPI(M) and Left parties will work as a responsible opposition in Parliament.
"The country is faced with serious economic difficulties which have a direct bearing on the people's livelihood and well being. The new government has to address this issue urgently and squarely.
"The CPI(M) will be vigilant in defending the interests of the people. It will work for strengthening the unity of the Left parties and will continue the cooperation with other secular parties in the opposition," it added.