By IANS,
Kolkata: The Left parties are working to formulate a common policy within the Third Front, taking into account the political culture of its constituents, Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) general secretary Prakash Karat said here Saturday.
“We’re trying to make our own political platform through a common minimum programme. An alternative political platform must have an alternative set of policies in the spheres of economic, foreign and social affairs,” Karat said during an interactive session.
He said: “Pre-poll period is not the best time to formulate these policies. But some parties, like Telugu Desam, have already given us some proposals and we’re now going through it.
“Before elections, nobody could think that a third way was possible. People were not very affirmative about it. But now they’ve started thinking.”
Talking about the third alternative, Karat said, “I am confident that the Third Front will form the government this time. The two-party system will not just work in India. It’s a vast country and full of political diversity.
“Every state has a different political pattern and these regional parties play a very important role in the regions. Some of these parties also run governments in various states.
“In the Third Front, we are trying bring them together,” he said, adding, “It’s not a very easy task as they all have different political system and culture.”
Earlier in the day, Karat said his party would take a decision after the elections on whether to support the Congress in forming the government at the centre.
Karat is in the city to campaign for the Left Front candidates in the final phase of Lok Sabha elections May 13, when 11 constituencies in the state will vote.