Need to build a unity of Left and democratic forces: Prakash Karat

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Citing Samajwadi Party's electoral victory in Uttar Pradesh, CPI(M) on Thursday revived the idea of a Third Front, pitching for a unity of Left and democratic forces to give the people another alternative to Congress and BJP.

CPI(M) General Secretary Prakash Karat said people want alternative to Congress and BJP as both of them were defeated in UP elections.

"We call for strengthening of CPI(M) and building a unity of Left and democratic forces in the country. It is necessary to have a Left and democratic alternative for the people and we should provide an alternative to the people to Congress and BJP", Karat told a party rally here.

"BJP and Congress government are corrupt. People have understood that. Congress has been defeated so has been BJP and Samajwadi Party has got a tremendous mandate in UP", he said adding "CPI(M) wants to strengthen non-Congress, non-BJP forces in the country".
"In the present situation in the country, people are suffering from continuous price rise, massive corruption and shrinking job opportunities", he charged.

The UPA-II has for last three years pursued policies which are harmful for the people of the country, Karat alleged adding in the recent Union Budget proposals, there is a big cut in subsidies for fuel and fertilizers.

"This is going to lead to further price rise. Farmers are already facing difficulties to buy fertilizers in view of steep prices.

More and more workers are hired on contract basis. Even government departments are hiring contractual employees, thus, they are deprived of all the benefits", he said.