People's Democracy

(Weekly Organ of the Communist Party of India (Marxist)


Vol. XXXIII

No. 20 

May 24, 2009

 


Bengal Left Front On

Lok Sabha Election Results

B Prasant

 

IN a statement, released at a media briefing at the Muzaffar Ahmad Bhavan, in the evening of May 17, 2009 Biman Basu, Bengal Left Front chairman and Bengal CPI(M) secretary said that the Congress and its allies could achieve success beyond expectation in the 15th Lok Sabha polls towards setting up a government at the centre.  The Left Front would have to contend with unanticipated electoral debacle.

 

The Left parties in conjunction with the non-Congress and non-BJP political allies are promise-bound to carry on struggles for the interest of the working masses, the sovereignty of the nation, secularism and other alternative policies.  The causes behind the defeat of the CPI(M) and the Left Front constituents in majority of the seats would be probed towards initiating necessary and appropriate remedial measures.  There will be an all-out effort from all the Left parties in making a success of this exercise. 

 

The Left Front would learn the appropriate lessons from the verdict of the people of Bengal. It would continue the struggle in defence of people�s interests.  The LF would also struggle to become competent towards earning the confidence and trust of the people from all societal tiers.  The Left Front appeals to the people irrespective of political affiliations to maintain the ambience of peace, discipline, and a democratic environment.  

 

The Left Front appeals also to its workers everywhere and to its sympathisers not to play into any traps of provocation, to maintain close links with the people, and to carry forth all political-organisational tasks. 

 

The final tally of the election results in Bengal is as follows: 

CPI(M) 09   

CPI       02  

RSP      02 

AIFB    02

   

       Total Left Front 15

 

 

 

Trinamul  19

Congress  06

BJP           01

SUCI        01

 

   Combined opposition 27 

 

Biman Basu later told us that it appeared, as per initial assessment, that two factors had influenced the electorate: an all-India swing in favour of the Congress and its allies, and second, the issue of formation of a stable central government.  However, detailed review would await the report from the districts, stressed the CPI(M) leader.