What was the effect of the CPI(M) decision on the Third Front's chances?
I cannot say how President Shankar Dayal Sharma's mind works, but it's clear that his decision to invite the BJP to form the government is wrong. The CPI(M) decision has had the effect of weakening our coalition both morally and politically.
Has the role the Left sought for itself in the post-poll scenario been undermined by the CPI(M) decision?
This election has been fundamentally different from the 10 previous Lok Sabha polls in that the Left could have played a direct role in the country's governance. The opportunity has been lost. It might give voters the impression that while the Left is critical of the role of others, it isn't willing to share responsibility in the national interest.
The CPI had been in favour of joining a Third Front government. Did the CPI(M) move force your hand?
The effect of the move is still being debated. After all, the CPI(M) is the most prominent component of the Left Front and it has decided upon a particular course of action. Though we are keeping our options open—the National Council is meeting on June 1 and we will reach a decision then—we cannot ignore the fact that Left unity has to be maintained.
