CPM politburo to work out coalition equation on May 18

KOLKATA: West Bengal chief minister and CPM politburo member Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee has said that his party would decide on supporting any coalition government at the Centre at the politburo meeting in New Delhi on May 18.

Mr Bhattacharjee was addressing reporters at the Kolkata Press Club on Monday, 48 hours before the last and final phase of elections in the state. "Our immediate object is to defeat both the Congress and the BJP," the chief minister said.

Mr Bhattacharjee, however, made it clear that his party will join a coalition government if it is formed on the basis of programmes and policies and if the Marxists feel they would be able to play an effective role in it. "We have already shifted from our earlier stand that we will not take part in a coalition government at the Centre," he clarified.

The chief minister���s observations, however, contradict CPM all-India general secretary Prakash Karat���s view that the party will not support a coalition government under Congress��� leadership. Mr Karat had said at a media briefing at the Kolkata Press Club a few days ago that CPM would not support a Congress-led coalition government in New Delhi.

Mr Bhattacharjee also felt that withdrawal of Tata Motors��� Nano factory from Singur would not affect the industrial development of West Bengal. "Singur is an exception. We have received investment proposal worth Rs 4200 crore in 2008. We have also received a number of proposals from different industrial units that are keen on setting up units at Singur. I will take a decision on this after the Lok Sabha elections. Singur will get another car manufacturing unit," Mr Bhattacharjee said.

The chief minister also made it clear that he will not hold further talks with the opposition Trinamool Congress with regard to establishing another car manufacturing unit at Singur even though the party is still demanding the return of 400 acres to the unwilling farmers. Mr Bhattacharjee also ruled out the possibility of returning the 400 acres to the farmers.