Yusuf Tarigami of the CPI(M) could represent the Left in the new government. He won from Kulgam, where the NC did not field a candidate and Abdullah persuaded the Congress candidate to withdraw. However, as at the Centre, the CPI is inclined to join but the CPI(M) is cautious about the long-term fall-out if the government becomes discredited. Farooq met CPI(M) general secretary Harkishan Singh Surjeet on Wednesday and mooted the proposal. They are also learnt to have discussed the modalities of the NC joining the United Front government at the Centre. Farooq mooted the proposal again when he met CPI national secretary M Farooqui yesterday. However, neither Left party has taken a final decision yet.
Farooqui said that the NC leader had been trying to persuade the Left parties to join his government. And we have also been persuading him to join the United Front for a long time, which finally did not work out prior to elections. Now, the NC has decided to join the UF government at Centre, he said.
Despite Left efforts, and those of leaders like Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda, the NC could not become a part of the UF before the polls because of resistance from leaders like VP Singh, Mufti Mohammed Sayeed (before he left the Dal) and others in the Dal. It was upto the CPI to decide on the issue, Farooqui said. CPI's national executive is slated to meet on October 12, 13 and 14 where final decision on the issue is likely to be taken. Farooqui did not rule out the possibility of joining the NC government.
The CPI(M), however, is unlikely to join the government.