CPM Politics

12.07.04

CPM Politics

Would CPM’s protest cause a rollback in some budget proposals? If there is no rollback, wouldn’t the CPM be in a ridiculous position of bearing a government which goes against its tenets? Or would they continue to sustain the government fearing a BJP comeback if they withdraw support? I think more than loving their own ideology, they detest Sangha’s ideology and would not want to give any ground to BJP even if it means losing their own credibility. They would eventually want to support a Mulayalam third front but they can’t without BJP support, can they? If the Marxists withdraw support to Congress, can the BJP bring to power, say, a George Fernandes led Third Front government? 145 of Congress + 35 of Laloo + 20 of Mayawati + 35 of DMK group = 235 will remain on the Congress side. If Marxists remain neutral, a third front Government can certainly come to power. But don’t expect the Marxists to remain neutral so long as the BJP is in the picture. The Marxists might withdraw support to Congress only if they are sure that a BJP or a BJP propped government does not come to power. In that case, they can look forward to general elections again and they might be confident that they can better their position. What then? Would they not once again have to go back to the Congress? Thus, seen from all sides, there is absolutely no question of the Left Front pursuing any adventure. The Congress can run the Government as it wants and run it as it wants it will, so as to increase its popularity. Really, the Congress has nothing to lose. It is in a win-win situation.