JOIN USThe differences among the Left parties are now out in the open. After having failed to present a united front on supporting a presidential candidate, they are now not on the same page in the vice-presidential poll either.
The Left parties will individually decide on supporting a Congress candidate. Some of them may not back Left-leaning Vice-President Hamid Ansari’s running for second term.
Leaders of the CPI met here on Tuesday to discuss the issue and they have decided to go alone on the issue. “This meeting is only for preliminary discussion. We will decide it later because there is still time for the vice-presidential poll,” senior CPI leader D Raja told Deccan Herald.
Though the Left sponsored Ansari in 2007, he seems to have lost support among the Left parties. His handling of the Lokpal Bill in the Rajya Sabha has created enough controversy for the Left parties.
According to Left sources, many CPI leaders want to oppose the UPA in vice-presidential poll as well because they view it as a chance to fight against the “neo-liberal forces”. However, there are leaders who think that Ansari’s continuation is necessary to represent minorities.
The dilemma in the CPM is even deeper for it is facing revolt within the party and in front organisations after its decision to support Pranab Mukherjee in the Presidential election. The controversy even gave way to a debate in the party over such issues like Singur and Nandigram which have hitherto been on low key. Party cadres are viewing the support to Pranab as an example of continuing ideological deviation.
The decision has also isolated the CPM, the leading communist party of the country, from its allies to the extent that no one is consulting it on the issue of vice-presidential poll.
As a result, the CPM may finally abstain from the electoral process to keep the turmoil within the party under control.