Yechury rules out pre-poll secular alternative front

Thiruvananthapuram: CPM general secretary Sitaram Yechury denied reports that the CPM had reached an electoral understanding with the Congress in Bengal. “The Bengal state committee of the CPM hasn’t discussed any such proposal”, Yechury told reporters here on Monday. He was in the state capital to attend the valedictory function of the three-day national students’ parliament organised by the Kerala legislative assembly secretariat as part of the festival of democracy campaign.
He said the objectives of the CPM in 2019 general election was to defeat the BJP, strengthen the Left and work for an alternative secular government at the centre. “What will be the character of the alternative secular government will only be known after the elections. In 1996, we supported the United Front govt in which the Congress was not a part. In 2004, we supported the Congress-led government from outside to keep communal forces out. There wouldn’t be any pre-election conditions or common minimum programme”, he said.

When asked about Periya double murder in which CPM workers are the accused, Yechury said, “Our party has expelled those people who were involved. Stringent action will be initiated against whoever from our party associated with the issue. We don’t approve of these sort of things and the CPM has already made it clear”.

The CPM also condemned the alleged move to amend article 35(A) of the constitution. “ This provision is integral to implement Article 370,” Yechury said. tnn