May 12, 2007

Press Statement

The Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) has issued the following statement:

On UP Assembly Election Results

The people of Uttar Pradesh have given a clear verdict in favour of the Bahujan Samaj Party. With the BSP getting an absolute majority, the way has been cleared for a single party government after nearly one and a half decades. It remains to be seen how the new government headed by Ms. Mayawati will fulfill the expectations of the people.

The verdict in UP has been significant in its rejection of the communal politics of the BJP. The fact that the BJP has lost both in terms of seats and percentage of votes shows how the people refused to be swayed by divisive communal issues. In contrast, the Samajwadi Party has retained its electoral base even though it has lost the elections.  The defeat of the SP is mainly due to the lawlessness and criminal activities under its regime and the gathering of all the anti-incumbency vote around the BSP.

The elections have shown the strong influence of caste appeal in the state which has been adversely affecting the prospects of the Left. The CPI(M) and the Left will have to take this reality into account in formulating its strategy to project an independent platform based on the real issues affecting the people.