People's Democracy

�CPI(M) To Work For Third Alternative'

THE CPI(M) general secretary Prakash Karat, after the two day central committee meeting to discuss preparations for the Lok Sabha elections announced on March 8 that there now existed strong possibilities of a non-Congress, non-BJP alternative and the party would be going all out to that end.

Welcoming the developments in Orissa where the Biju Janata Dal had broken of with the BJP and NDA, he told the press conference that the crucial test in that state for assembly lay in a floor test and not in any other method. Following requests from the state chief minister Navin Patnaik, he said, Sitaram Yehcury was rushed to Orissa to study the situation. The developments in Orissa, he said, were welcome and a slap on the face of the BJP, who all along were pooh-poohing the idea of an alternative to both.

The manifesto, he indicated, was in its final stages and would be released shortly after taking into account several suggestions received. He further released the first list of 59 candidates. The list is published on page 7 inside.