CPM to field minimum candidates in 3 states for polls

Disagreement in the CPM Polit Bureau over electoral tactics in states like Andhra Pradesh and Telangana have refused to settle down even as the party decided to field "minimum number" of candidates in its stronghold in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh.

While fielding candidates for the Assembly elections in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh have been taken at the Polit Bureau meeting on Wednesday, the party also decided to give a call for "defeating BJP" in these states, which some Left leaders felt help Congress as it is the major Opposition force there.

The BSP's decision not to enter into an alliance with the Congress and field candidates in Madhya Pradesh on its own had put strains on the Congress' prospects. Similarly, the BSP had also decided to ally with Congress detractor Ajit Jogi in Chhattisgarh while it is open to contesting in Rajasthan.

Sources said the Polit Bureau discussed the reports sent by state units about their proposals for alliances.

A CPM statement said the Polit Bureau discussed the "tactics for the forthcoming round of Assembly elections" in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Telangana". This will now be put before the central committee which will meet for three days from October 6 where the electoral tactics for the Lok Sabha polls will also be discussed, it said.

While there was sort of agreement on three states, sources said there was division over the way Telangana unit decided not to align with Congress-TDP-CPI combine despite an invite and going ahead with its Bahujan Left Front experiment. They said there was no final decision on Telangana.

One section argues that the BJP is not at all strong in Telangana and they should try to maximise its seat by contesting against the TRS and the Congress combine. Others claim that this would only help in dividing Opposition votes and help the TRS and eventually the BJP.

Sources said there are also differences over the approach towards electoral partners in Andhra Pradesh where CPM state unit is not keen to align with the TDP. In Andhra Pradesh, the CPM is aligning with Pawan Kalyan's Jan Sena Party, which a section in the party views with suspicion.