•Unni Rajen Shanker: As we head into the general elections, how do you assess the political situation?

It’s too early to say anything definitive. Only when we are close to the first round of polling will we get an idea of how things are shaping up. But I can tell you what the CPI(M) is aiming for. We are looking for a shift in the policy direction that’s essentially related to four areas. One, tackling the global economic recession; second, how can we tackle the communal and terror menace more effectively; third is the question of greater social justice and the fourth is the question of an independent foreign policy. We are convinced that such a shift cannot happen with any dispensation that is led by the BJP or the Congress. So, we are trying to work out a political alternative that is capable of effecting such a shift. That may sound very ambitious with the sort of partners we have, but so far, all of them have decided to cooperate with us. The nitty-gritty of it will be worked out only when the time for it arrives.

•Unni Rajen Shanker: What if we face a 2004 kind of situation again?

That is speculative. The electoral battle has begun. My objective is to win the battle. Let’s see what happens after the battle is over.

•D.K. Singh: CPI(M) General Secretary Prakash Karat has been saying that the Congress deceived you. You had many discussions with Sonia Gandhi. At any point, did you sense she was being insincere?

... contd.