The conundrum behind CPM led Third Front

MUMBAI: Indian Marxists known for their dualism are back in action! This time it is with an age-old poll plank ��� the formation of Third Front, which sounds bizarre. The idea of forming third front is nothing but to gain bargaining power in the post election scenario. It is proved when the party released its manifesto.

While Prakash Karat & Co. waved the crowd in Tamil Nadu sharing stage with other regional prominent contenders for the post of ���King Maker��� respectively JD (S), SP, AIDMK, BSP, DMK and other smaller outfits, the CPM vociferously released its election manifesto wherein it mentioned of ���readjusting 123 Agreement and scraping of all military collaborations with US, if they form the government in New Delhi with the help of Third Front.

When Left snapped its ties with Congress, none of the today���s third front parties seconded CPM in its action. On the contrary, Mulayum Singh���s SP, a close crony of CPM, came to the rescue of the then Congress government. Karunanidhi���s DMK also did not endorse the action as all of them were not vigorously opposing 123 agreement.

Moreover, any party whichever comes to power, cannot afford to do so especially in this global recession. Ground realities suggest, any anti US sentiment in India will cater to Pak-sponsored terrorism. A rupture in relation between India and US, will provide our neighbour an opportunity to cosy up with the super power. India���s bonhomie with US is a diplomatic advantage to nation���s fight against terrorism.

Furthermore, anti-US stance has enough wherewithal to cause economic damages. India���s IT giants raised a toast when Barack Obama assured the business community of outsourcing jobs after taking charge of the White House. IT stocks at both the Indian bourses responded positively.

According to wise market men, government growth policy will remain in track irrespective of any political party���s victory. No political outfit will dare to upset the growth policies out of sheer political ideology, they said requesting anonymity.

No party in the proposed third front shares anit-US stance barring the Left. If it is so, should one expect a marriage of convenience among all third front parties to stay together full five year term?

The communist party of India, which had tried several times in the past to form an alternative ��� non Congress and non BJP, failed miserably every time, whenever it felt the threat of contraction.

There seem to two factors behind Left���s euphoria in spearheading Third Front.

Firstly, the major parties National Congress and BJP are facing some major pre-poll blows which may dent their poll prospect. While BJP lost its major partner Naveen Patnaik led BJD in Orissa, Congress finds itself sidelined in Bihar in the emergence of an alliance between Lalu Yadav���s RJD and Ram Bilas Paswan���s LJP. Both the UPA partners have left only 3 seats to Congress out of state���s 40 seats. Further, Congress too is facing challenges from its major ally like Sharad Pawer���s NCP, which is currently pitching its leader for PM���s post.

BJP���s infighting (between Raj Nath Singh and Arun Jaitley), have made party���s journey to New Delhi even more tougher.

Secondly, Congress led UPA���s success to rule the nation full 5 year term, without the help of one-time king maker, has made the Left leaders desperate this time. Hence, the Left is putting a renewed effort to assume importance in national politics.

All these factors have created enough room for third front to prosper led by CPM, which fears losing considerable seats in its citadel ��� West Bengal. It is because of strong political alliance between arch-rival Trinamool Congress and National Congress,that are now giving joint fight against the Left in the State.

By uniting in a single platform, smaller parties ensure no splitting of votes and thereby to increase number of seats. The much publicised third front is an ideal platform to gain bargaining power for smaller parties, with vested but conflicting interest. Consequently, the situation will add to the woes of two major parties, which will be forced to bow down before any of the smaller parties with good number of seats in order to form the government.