May
17,
2004
Press
Statement
The
leaders
of
Communist
Party
of
India
(Marxist),
Communist
Party
of
India
and
Forward
Bloc
met
today
and
issued
the
following
statement:
On
Election
Verdict
and
Formation
of
Government
The
Left
Parties
hailed
the
verdict
of
the
people
in
the
14th
Lok
Sabha
elections.
They
have
decisively
rejected
the
six-years
of
misrule
by
the
BJP-led
government.
The
people's
mandate
is
against
the
communal
platform,
the
harmful
economic
policies
of
the
Vajpayee
government
and
the
pro-imperialist
orientation.
Not
only
the
BJP
but
also
its
opportunist
allies
have
faced
the
people's
wrath.
The
Left
Parties
have
registered
a
big
success
winning
61
seats.
This
is
a
recognition
by
the
people
of
the
consistent
role
played
by
the
Left
in
defence
of
secularism,
the
interests
of
the
working
people
and
opposing
the
growing
imperialist
influence.
The
verdict
is
for
the
formation
of
a
secular
government
at
the
Centre.
This
was
one
of
the
main
aims
of
the
Left
platform
in
the
election
campaign.
The
Left
Parties
have,
therefore,
decided
to
extend
support
to
the
Congress-led
coalition
government,
which
is
to
be
formed
under
the
leadership
of
Smt.
Sonia
Gandhi.
While
extending
support
from
outside,
the
Left
Parties
will
ensure
that
any
machinations
by
the
BJP
and
the
communal
forces
to
destabilise
the
government
are
foiled.
The
policy
direction
of
the
new
government
is
going
to
be
determined
with
the
formulation
of
a
common
minimum
programme.
(The
leaders
of
the
Revolutionary
Socialist
Party
attended
the
meeting.
They
informed
that
their
Central
Committee
will
meet
tomorrow
to
decide
the
matter
and
will
inform
the
other
Left
parties
of
their
decision.)