The Left may have decided to launch a joint campaign with the BSP and the UNPA against the UPA Government, but there is a growing sense of uneasiness in the bloc with the smaller parties feeling wary of the newfound friendship with Mayawati.

Though talks of the Left entering into any sort of electoral understanding with the BSP and parties of the United National Progressive Alliance for the next Lok Sabha polls may be in the realm of speculation, parties like the RSP and Forward Bloc seem not too enthusiastic about such an arrangement.

Initially upset with big brother CPI(M) for not taking it into confidence before Prakash Karat’s July 13 meeting with Mayawati, the RSP is also unhappy with CPI general secretary A B Bardhan’s open talks about Mayawati being a fit candidate for the post of Prime Minister.

“It is too early for such talks. The present arrangement is limited to a joint campaign on issues like inflation and the Indo-US nuclear deal; such talks will only complicate matters,” a senior Left leader said.

While the CPI(M) and the CPI are apparently in favour of exploring the options of joining hands with secular parties who are not aligned either with the BJP or the Congress, RSP and the Forward Bloc feel stress should be laid on greater Left unity first given the fickle nature of regional parties.

“The Left front concept is at present limited to Kerala, Tripura and West Bengal. The arrangement should first be extended to other states where we have some presence,” a senior Left leader said while questioning the wisdom of joining hands with Mayawati.

... contd.