CPI working for a third front govt: Bardhan

Former CPI general secretary A B Bardhan is one of the country’s senior-most Left leaders and also the most fearless and outspoken leaders of Left policies. Having been a trade union leader of long standing before taking up the party leadership at its Central level, Bardhan is known for his unsparing comments on economic policy and issues concerning communal harmony. He was general secretary of the CPI from 1996 to 2012, the period that saw the CPI joining the United Front Government (1996-98) and later extending support to the Manmohan Singh-led UPA-I Government from outside (2004-2008), along with other Left parties. The CPI is working for a third front government after the 2014 elections. Both the Congress and the BJP will be rejected by the people, 87-year-old Bardhan, who was in Hyderabad to attend the 88th founding day celebrations of the CPI, talks to LATA JAIN

You talk of an honest government; don’t you think such a government will be a secular government?

Not necessarily. A communal government can also be honest. Honesty has nothing to do with your approach towards religious harmony, communal amity and secularism.

You met BJD leaders in Odisha and are planning a tie-up. Are you planning a third front in 2014 elections?

I met Naveen patnaik. I have been meeting a lot of leaders. A third front at national level will be planned after polls. I have impressed upon Patnaik the need for efforts to form a non-Congress and non-BJP government at the Centre. "We are approaching all parties opposed to the Congress' neo-liberal policies and the BJP's communal politics."

You feel the UPA government must go as it belongs to corporate houses. Why?

Yes they favour the rich and corporate houses as these houses fund their elections. This government belongs to the corporate houses. There is corporate directorial growth, which is only for their benefit, for their good, not for the common masses,".

Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi and BJP’s prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi. Who will win the elections?

People will reject both. Policies of a party holds more importance than individuals.

You commented, all left parties should come together but the differences seem to be widening?

We are different because we are different parties. We do have differences but the gap is not so wide that we can’t work together unlike other political parties. There are minor differences on certain issues but we stand together for uplift of common public and to defeat communal forces.

Modi as a prime ministerial candidate. Your comments?

It is a hype created by the media and support to his rallies extended by corporate houses. He cannot make it in the south, and the wave is temporary.

Your opinion on AAP and Arvind Kejriwal?

I want you to think of the reason for the birth the Aam Aadmi Party. It came into being as a mandate against the corrupt, criminal and communal politics of the BJP and the Congress. They have not come into politics to acquire power; they have come here to change this system. It was the plight of the common man that motivated him to rise and form the Aam Aadmi Party. How can a party from such beginnings now form government with the support of the very same parties that were the cause of its inception? If he continues with the same manifesto as he won the elections he can succeed.

Anna Hazare met you for support. What is your opinion on Lokpal Bill?

Lokpal is an act to create effective anti-corruption and grievance redressal systems at the Centre so that effective deterrent is created against corruption and to provide effective protection to whistleblowers. The most important thing is that this Bill is going to stop corruption in India. The Bill is paving the way for the establishment of an ombudsman to fight corruption in public offices and ensure accountability on the part of public officials, including the Prime Minister, but with some safeguards.

Are you supporting the bifurcation? Is Telanagna your choice?

Yes, we are supporting Telangana. It is a people’s movement and we have been always with them.

Your plans for 2014 elections?

It is too early to decide. Andhra Pradesh is very complex politically. We have to study the situation and wait for the developments. We will take a decision on AP after a few more days. At the national level it is a third front.