As the anti-nuclear deal front, cobbled up by the CPI(M) after its split with the UPA, announced its first major protest against the Congress-led Government on Friday, the party count was reduced to a mere three from the original ten.

Many of the players who joined the anti-nuclear bandwagon two months ago have deserted the formation, leaving the third front idea in tatters and even prompting CPI(M) general secretary Prakash Karat to say that he was now looking at an electoral alternative and not a third alternative.

On Friday, the Left parties, the TDP and the JD(S) announced that they will observe September 25, the day Prime Minister Manmohan Singh meets US President George W Bush in Washington, as protest day. Chautala’s INLD, Ajit Singh’s RLD and Babulal Marandi’s Jharkhand Vikas Morcha have left the formation while Mayawati’s BSP will not take part in protests on September 25 as the party is holding rallies and demonstrations against the Manmohan Singh Government on the issue.

“The BSP is already organising rallies and demonstrations at district headquarters and other centres in UP against the Indo-US nuclear deal. All its MPs and MLAs are attending these protest rallies,” Karat told The Indian Express when asked why the BSP was not taking part in the protest day next week.

The only formidable force that is sticking with the Left parties at present is the BSP. While the JD(S) has become a marginal player in Karnataka, the TDP, faced with desertions in its ranks, is finding itself on a weak wicket after movie star Chiranjeevi launched his political party. The good news is that AIADMK chief Jayalalithaa is warming up to the Left and has given ample hints that she is ready to join hands with the Comrades.

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