CPI (M) will not comprise on its criteria for Presidential polls

The Communist Party of India (Marxist) today said that the Left parties would not compromise on criteria laid out by it for their support in the forthcoming presidential polls.

New Delhi, May 25 : The Communist Party of India (Marxist) today said that the Left parties would not "compromise" on criteria laid out by it for their support in the forthcoming presidential polls.

CPI (M) Politburo member Sitaram Yechury told reporters here after a two-day politburo meeting that the unanimous view was that the presidential candidate should be secular and have the widest possible acceptance.

"Discussions are on with all the friendly parties and the idea is to have a candidate with impeccable secular credentials, understanding of political complexities and who could ensure balance between the judiciary, Parliament and the executive. There will be no compromise on that," Yechury said.

He further said that it was not about one party selecting a nominee and others supporting it.

The politburo meeting, the first after the UP Assembly elections, also discussed the poll results, the party's performance and the likely ramification in the national political scene.

Left parties drew a blank in the elections.

The recent political and international developments, preparations for the 19th Party Congress to be held next year and the prevailing situation in Nandigram and Singur in West Bengal was also discussed in detail.The CPI (M) was unenthusiastic about former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's suggestion of building consensus on a successor for President A P J Abdul Kalam.

"Initially the BJP said it will support Kalam, then decided to support Vice President (Bhairon Singh) Shekhawat. First let them make up their mind," Yechury said.

The meeting came in the backdrop of the CPI asking the Left to undertake a serious review of the performance of UPA government in order to "redefine" their attitude towards it, based on its performance in the last three years.

The parties have been demanding a mid-course correction in the economic policies of the government and the CPI (M) is also planning to launch nationwide protests against the "anti-poor" measures.

Asked whether Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's advise to the corporate world to fulfill social responsibilities could be considered a course correction, Yechury said "it was a welcome admission on the part of the government".

"It can be considered a course correction," he said and added that the Left parties have been asking the government all along to implement the pro-poor commitments made in the National Common Minimum Programme of the UPA.

ANI