Meanwhile, CPM general secretary Prakash Karat today indicated the possibility of a shift in stand over participating in a government at the Centre. Asked if the CPM would join a Third Front government, Karat said: “If a situation develops, then our central committee will meet, take stock of the situation and arrive at an appropriate decision.”

The manifesto calls for amending the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act to remove “draconian provisions” like detention without bail for 180 days. It takes credit for the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (NREGS) and the Forest Tribal Rights Act. Its charges against the Congress-led government are virtually similar to what the party had slapped against the BJP-led government in 2004.

The political call in the 2004 manifesto was to “reject the BJP and its allies” and cooperation among “all other Left and democratic secular forces” for an “alternative government”. In 2009, the CPM’s call is for a “new alternative government”.