CPI(M) blames BJP, Centre for poll debacle

NEW DELHI, MAY 31. The CPI(M) today attributed the party-led Left Democratic Front's (LDF) debacle in the recent Kerala Assembly polls to the BJP's ``transfer of votes'' to the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF), withdrawal of import restrictions by the Centre and the State Government's ``inability'' to provide a minimum support price to cash crop farmers.

The party's central committee, which began a two-day meeting here, reviewed the poll results and discussed the emerging scenario in the wake of the defeat of the NDA allies in Tamil Nadu and Assam, party sources said.

While the meeting felt the 1.36 per cent decline in the party's vote percentage in Kerala and two per cent fall in the LDF's vote were ``marginal'', it expressed concern over the six per cent gain made by the UDF and blamed the BJP for ``transfer of votes'' with the sole purpose of defeating the Left Front.

The meeting was attended among others by the General Secretary, Mr. Harkishan Singh Surjeet, the West Bengal Chief Minister, Mr. Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee, the Tripura Chief Minister, Mr. Manik Sarkar, the former Chief Ministers of West Bengal and Kerala, Mr. Jyoti Basu and Mr. E.K. Nayanar.

It felt that the withdrawal of import restrictions had brought down the prices of cash crops affecting the farmers and the State was unable to provide relief in the form of a minimum support price ``due to financial constraints.'' ``While lauding the party's phenomenal victory in Bengal, we analysed the shortcomings in Kerala and discussed ways and means to strengthen the party,'' the sources said.

- PTI

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