'Third Front Cannot Emerge Overnight'

The transcript of BBC Hindi special programme Aapki Baat BBC Ke Saath withsenior communist leader and General Secretary of the CPI on how long therelationship between Congress and Left would last.

Nagendar Sharma : Mr Bardhan, after nearly two years of extending support to theCongress-led UPA government, how do you rate your relations with the rulingalliance now?

A.B. Bardhan : Our relations have definitely turned tense and a number ofissues have led to direct confrontation as well. I would say that during the pasttwenty-two months of UPA government, relations between the government and Leftparties have taken a turn for the worse, but so far there has been nothing to take theserelations to a breaking point. Having said this, let me make it clear, however,that no issue has assumed such proportions so far that would have led us to withdrawsupport.

Question from Muzzafarpur : Sir, almost every day Left parties have beenexpressing dissatisfaction with the functioning of UPA government. How longwould this brittle relationship continue?

A.B. Bardhan : Yes, we are not happy with the economic and foreign policies ofthis government, but this does not mean that we should impose instability on thecountry.

If we were to make the government fall by withdrawing support and freshelections are held, where is the alternative? Who would come to power after theelections? Therefore we think that such a situation has not come so far, and presentlya viable alternative is not there. Had the Left been in a position tobe an alternative to this government, we would have withdrawn the support by now.Such big decisions are not, and cannot be, taken in haste.

We do not want the communal forces to be an alternative to this government.Right now a secular and democratic alternative, commonly called by the name ofthird front or any other similar name, does not exist.

Question from Chandigarh : Sir, you are saying that there is noalternative to this government right now. Why is the Left not taking theinitiative of forming the third front when some parties like Samajwadi Party andTelugu Desam were openly appealing to the Left?

A.B. Bardhan : Well, their policy towards the formation of a third alternative was notclear. Even if they were clear, then also the third front cannot emergeovernight. Presently there are no alternate policies or programmes and nor hasbeen there any discussion on the same among the parties eager for this front. A third alternative cannot emerge without joint struggles on economic andforeign policies. Even before the struggle, a consensus on these policies wouldbe required, which is presently missing.

Nagendar Sharma : So does it mean that the Left parties have abandoned the idea of athird front despite being unhappy with the UPA government?

A.B. Bardhan : We would continue our efforts towards building a third alternative,but we do not want a communal government to replace the UPA at the centre.Already, attempts are being made to whip up the passion of Hindutva with theannouncement of Rath Yatras in a sensitive state, which has recently witnessedterrorist attacks -- all these developments cannot be ignored.

Fundamentalists on both sides, Hindus as well as Muslims, help each other bypolarising the respective communities, which would be extremely harmful for thecountry and at such a critical juncture the announcement of Rath Yatras by BJPleaders is a dangerous move which could disturb the communal harmony.

Question from Pakistan : Sir, we admire the strength of Indian democracyand its voice at the global stage. However, it has been disappointing to note theway Manmohan Singh government has gone ahead with the nuclear pact with America.Your party and front had protested against President Bush’s visit, but how farwould you go on this issue?

A.B. Bardhan : This pact marks the departure from India's independent foreignpolicy as also from the Non Aligned Movement (NAM). However, due to ourpressure, the main reactors of the country have been kept out of Americaninterference. Participation of large number of people in anti-Bush protestsduring his visit to the country shows that Indian citizens are aware of theirself-respect and the days of turning other countries into American colonies arenow over. This is an issue of national interest and our opposition to the pro-US tiltof this government would continue.

Let me also make it clear that there is no contradiction between our supportto the government and opposition to its pro-America policies because we aresupporting this government in the absence of any alternative. The day we havesuch an alternative we would think afresh, but presently this government is thebest suited for the country and our pressure on them would remain.

Question from Udaipur : Are you against every decision been taken bythe UPA government?

A.B. Bardhan : No, this is a wrong notion, I would say it is a myth beingpropagated by those opposed to this alliance and also by those who are not wellinformed. Left is not critical of every decision taken by this government andhas supported as well as welcomed the pro-people’s decisions like the NationalRural Employment Guarantee Bill and the Right to Information Act. Rural Employment Bill is a big step and Congress President Sonia Gandhiherself took a keen interest in the passage of this bill. It is a definite stepforward towards tackling rural poverty; however, this alone is not sufficient. Left wants the government to act fast on protection of rights of tribals onforest land, safeguarding the rights of workers in unorganised sector and a billfor the welfare of agricultural workers should be passed without delay.

Question from Bihar : Sir, Left parties oppose foreign direct investment(FDI) into the country, whereas central governments during the past fifteenyears, including the present one being supported by you, all governments havebeen stressing that due to lack of resources, FDI is a viable option. How wouldthings move ahead?

A.B. Bardhan : Be clear on this issue. Left parties are not blindly opposed to theFDI. Our stand is that foreign investment in those sectors which increaseemployment and are not sensitive sectors, in such areas we have no problem with foreign investment. However, all of us should bear in mind that FDI cannotbe the solution of all problems faced by the country. For India to develop,nearly 80 to 85 percent resources would have to be ours. Whatever amount ofmoney may come in the form of foreign investment, it would not cross fifteenpercent. Such investment would be supplementary, it cannot be the main thrust ofdevelopmental money. All of us should understand this. Now, these days, much isbeing talked about FDI in retail. This would have an adverse effect on at leastfour crore people of the country. This may help a handful of big retail tradersin the country, but not for the small traders and common people.