When pointed out that the Marxists were only enjoying the fruits of power without shouldering any responsibility in the coalition, Bhattachajree retorted back: “Tell me what extra benefits we are enjoying?” He then asserted: “They ( the Congress) are filing on the economic front. As a political entity we will still call them secular. But he is failing to perform.” “We just cannot support the NDA. We can’t support the Congress-led UPA either. We are in favour of a third front. But for the moment we are supporting the UPA to stop BJP-led NDA to come to power. The BJP is dangerous. BJP and RSS will destroy the country,” Bhattacharjee said.

Asked if the CPI(M) would once again support the Congress-led coalition at the Centre, Bhattacharjee said it was difficult to predict so early. Let the elections be held first. The left would certainly look for a third alternative. But we will decide after the elections,” Bhattacharjee said.

Reacting to the comments, the Congress said the CM of such a big state should first “check facts”. AICC spokesperson Shakeel Ahmad said the Congress had registered a landslide win in Haryana after Manmohan Singh had taken over as PM. Besides, the NDA regime in Jharkhand was replaced by the UPA regime during this period. Even in Gujarat Assembly election the Congress increased its tally by 11 seats. “Winning or losing is a part of the electoral process. Before making such a statement, a senior leader like Bhattacharjee should first check facts,” Ahmad said in New Delhi.

... contd.