Click to play videoNew Delhi: Prakash Karat may have led his party to its worst ever showing at the polls in four decades but his position as CPM General Secretary is at no risk.
The party’s Central Committee, which met to introspect the debacle, backed what has been viewed as the Karat line – the withdrawal of support to the UPA. The party also dubbed the formation of the third alternative as the correct tactic, however criticised the move to extend the call to the formation of a third alternative government.
“The Central Committee felt it was unviable at the Centre,” Karat said.
Despite its worst ever drubbing, the party has shied away from fixing any responsibility and even hiding behind some elections statistics to deny that it has been a resounding defeat for the Left.
“We fought only 80 seats but poll percentage at the national level has only registered a marginal decline,” Karat said.
Admitting that controversial land acquisition in Singur and the Nadigram episode hurt the party in West Bengal, the CPM said apprehension about land acquisition was definitely a factor.
But the big worry for the CPM remains its other bastion state of Kerala and the ongoing Pinaryi Vijayan versus VS Achuthanandan battle that has split the party down the middle.
But an indication that the CM may not have the backing of his party on the SNC Lavlin issue was made clear. “It was a decision cleared by the party secretariat. We know there is no corruption involved in the matter and we will prove it in the court,” Karat said.
But Karat's worries are far from over. A decision on whether the popular Kerala Chief Minister will stay on despite his defiant stand will have to be taken up by the politburo when it meets on July 4.
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