Click to play videoDespite the divorce from the Congress over the Indo-US nuclear deal, the Left has not ruled out a future alliance with the party. However, the CPI indicated it would not support a government led by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and accused him of playing deceitful politics.
Speaking with CNN-IBN, CPI General Secretary A B Bardhan said there would be "occasions" in the future when the Left parties will have to fight against communal forces together with Congress and similar "secular" parties.
Following is the full text of the Q&A with Bardhan.
CNN-IBN: You said the External Affairs Minister's position is 'untenable'. What do you mean?
Bardhan: I am not asking him to quit, I am not demanding his designation, I am only saying that he should consult his conscience. He made two promises to us – one of them was the declaration to the nation itself that they will face the trust vote and then will go to the Board of Governors. That has been overruled by the Prime Minister, who has rushed there.
CNN-IBN: Do you feel betrayed? Is that the word to use -- betrayed?
Bardhan: I think what he has been telling us is not exactly what the Government has been doing. We feel betrayed. Who has betrayed us is for them to find out.
CNN-IBN: Are you saying what Mr Advani is saying? That the government has been 'deceitful'?
Bardhan: I am not repeating anybody's words, but I don't think it’s been a fair way of supporting a party that has been supporting you for the last four years. You have to be more fair, you have to be more transparent, you have to be more straightforward
CNN-IBN: So do you completely rule out any future alliance with the Congress?
Bardhan: I don't think so. You see, life is long, and the future is what you see in the distance. Right now our differences are on the issue of inflation, price rise, nuclear deal and all that has lead to this position. But then there will be occasions when we will have to fight the communalists together. I think so.
CNN-IBN: Will you support another government led by Manmohan Singh?
Bardhan: You see he will not always be the PM, I am talking of the Congress as an institution, and I am talking of the secular parties in the country. As a mater of fact there are many secular parties, we'll have to deal with them
CNN-IBN: If Pranab Mukherjee resigns, will it be ok for you?
Bardhan: You see as I said, it’s not he who is responsible - he has also been let down.
CNN-IBN: So who are you blaming then -- the Foreign Minister or the Prime Minister?
Bardhan: Obviously the PM, who else can it be?
CNN-IBN: Are you then prepared to vote along with the BJP against the government in the trust vote?
Bardhan: Don’t scare me by saying with the BJP. We will vote against the government because we have lost faith in them and we have asked them to seek trust vote. If you are trying to scare me with that, then let me tell you that three times in the past when United Front was in power, they voted with the BJP. Ask them that question, ask them first.
CNN-IBN: If the PM explains all points in Parliament, which he has promised to do, is there any chance you may accept it?
Bardhan: No, let us see what statements he'll make to the Parliament and what happens in the vote of confidence.
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