People's Front to discuss admission norms

By K.V. Prasad

NEW DELHI, APRIL 1. The leaders of the recently formed People's Front would meet here on Tuesday, to discuss among other things broad parameters and guidelines for admission of political parties into its fold.

The Front, which was launched here last month, comprises the Left parties, the Samajwadi Party, the Janata Dal (Secular) and the Rashtriya Janta Dal with the objective of bringing together democratic and secular parties on a platform. The main aim is to create a third alternative of political forces in the country with a distinct identity, other than the Congress and the BJP.

The CPI(M) leader, Mr. Harkishan Singh Surjeet, told The Hindu, that the agenda for discussion would include setting up of parameters for admission and expansion of the Front. The other issues include taking stock of the political situation in the wake of the Tehelka tapes and discussion on forthcoming Assembly elections. Since its last meeting, the Trinamool Congress has moved closer to the Congress leading to a warning from the Left Front. Another report suggests that the Asom Gana Parishad, with which the Left parties have an understanding, could now go with the BJP.

Mr. Surjeet said apart from the Front president and former West Bengal Chief Minister, Mr. Jyoti Basu, and convenor, Mr. Mulayam Singh Yadav, other leaders expected to take part include former Prime Ministers, Mr. H.D. Deve Gowda and Mr. V.P. Singh, and representatives from the Left parties.

The RJD chief and former Bihar Chief Minister, Mr. Laloo Prasad Yadav, has also been invited. Incidentally, overtures from the Akali parties - opposed to the Punjab Chief Minister, Mr. Parkash Singh Badal's party - to take them into the fold was rejected. Front sources had indicated that it was not willing to take outfits with religious leanings.

Among the Left parties, the RSP has suggested that the Front come up with an agitational programme to convey its viewpoint on the Tehelka tapes just as the Opposition Congress and ruling NDA were going ahead with it.

The CPI feels that the time is ripe to intensify mass agitations in the country since the farmers, the working class and others were groaning under the impact of WTO. The situation was expected to take a turn for the worse with removal of Quantitative Restrictions (QRs) on 715 items from today.

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