A B Bardhan questions feasibility of Federal Front

NEW DELHI: Opposing the idea of a Federal Front mooted by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, veteran CPI leader A B Bardhan on Friday said such a platform was neither feasible nor would it inspire people's confidence.

Instead, a non-Congress, non-BJP coalition pursuing credible alternate policies on people's issues would be accepted by the electors.

"The idea of a 'Federal Front' floated by one or two Chief Ministers, which is supposed to bring together the chief ministers of states who have grievances against the step- motherly treatment meted out by the Congress-ruled Centre, is neither feasible nor likely to inspire confidence among the voters," Bardhan said in a statement here.

He said the people wanted a government whose policies were opposed to the 'anti-people policies' being pursued by the UPA government.

"These policies have also the support of opposition BJP which is now set on a strident communal course with the elevation of Narendra Modi," Bardhan said.

He said that only a non-Congress, non-BJP coalition "which pursues credible alternate policies on people's issues and which steers the country on a Left and democratic course is the need of the hour."

"Such a programme-based coalition government can emerge through struggles and may be after the polls. Only such a Front can provide a viable alternative to the present dispensation," the veteran leader said, adding that the Left parties were working towards that end.