UPA-Left fission giving way to UNPA-Left fusion

The two communist parties, CPI(M) and CPI, formally revived their efforts to create the 'third front' as a way to politically browbeat and isolate the UPA, especially the Congress.

The phase of bitterness and political estrangement caused after the UNPA's lack of co-operation with the Left in the election to the President of India "" the UNPA refused to back Pratibha Patil for Presidentship despite pleadings by the Left "" became a thing of the past.

As the UPA-Left relationship has deteriorated over the past few days, Left leaders have been holding a series of meetings with parties like the Telegu Desam and Samajwadi Party.

This is hardly likely to endear the Left to the Congress, given the deep personal breach between the Gandhi family and the Samajwadi Party leadership, including Mulayam Singh Yadav and Amar Singh.

According to Left sources, the communists are optimistic about forging an alliance with the UNPA in the next Lok Sabha elections.

A CPI(M) politburo member told Business Standard: "There won't be a UNPA in the next Lok Sabha polls. Some of the parties will come with us. We will form a new alliance." But they shy away from using the 'third front' denomination as that experiment has failed many times in the past.

Today, SP leaders Mulayam Singh Yadav and Amar Singh had a long meeting with CPI leaders A B Bardhan, D Raja and Atul Anjan. From the CPI office, the SP duo went to meet CPI(M) general secretary Prakash Karat. According to Left sources, Yadav briefed Karat about their meeting with CPI.

CPI sources said the discussion was mainly on how to cement different forces in attacking the government in the coming winter session of Parliament. Left wants a concerted effort to corner the government on issues like nuclear deal, price rise and agriculture.

The Congress is not amused to see the Left cosying up to SP and TDP, its arch rivals in the states of Uttar Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh. Party spokesperson Veerappa Moily said the party was "amazed" to see Karat going to Amar Singh's house on Tuesday.

Officially, the Congress' reaction is that in a democracy different parties can always meet and talk.

Om Prakash Chautala's INLD has already conveyed to UNPA leaders that it is interested in joining this bandwagon. But National Conference leader Faruq Abdullah is keeping his options open.

All in all, this is going to become another pressure point on the Congress, something the party is not too happy about.