CPM to back AAP if it clarifies stand on economic policy

Thiruvananthapuram: CPM general secretary Sitaram Yechury on Sunday said that his party would consider supporting Aam Aadmi Party in Punjab if the latter provided more clarity on issue on fighting the new economic policy and communalism. He said there has been better cooperation with AAP in the past couple of months.

“AAP has to clarify its own position where do they stand in terms of new economic policies and the hardships of people. Except for demonetisation, AAP has not come out against any other policy. Number two what is their commitment, willingness to continue their fight against communalism. On these two issues clarity is required,” he said.

Yechury hoped that the clarity would come. “During Delhi elections we said that wherever we were not contesting, the support will be for AAP. We have no problem. We will still do that independently. But AAP needs to come out with its stand on the two issues ,” he added.

He ruled out the possibility of CPM joining any grand alliance or alliance in Uttar Pradesh apart from that of the Left parites. “In Kerala we are fighting the Congress. But in UP we need magnifying glasses to find the Congress to fight them. So we will carry out our independent campaign and major threat in Uttar Pradesh is communalism and the communal forces. We will strengthen the fight against communalism ,” he said.

The central committee discussed tactics for the forthcoming assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh , Uttarakhand, Punjab, Goa and Manipur. The CPM along with the other Left parties will contest elections independently projecting the Left alternative politics against the dangers of the current neo liberal economic offensive on the people and the threat of communal polarisation .