Be cautious while going along with the Congress. That was the message conveyed by the CPI(M) leadership to their Samajwadi friends on Wednesday when party general secretary Prakash Karat telephoned Mulayam Singh Yadav to seek his support for the six-day agitation that the Left have called against the fuel price hike.
Karat reportedly told the SP chief that any alliance with the Congress in UP would only end up benefitting the BJP.
The SP, which is having ??second thoughts?? about its relations with the Congress after the Karnataka Assembly election debacle for the ruling party, has decided to join the Left?s platform in opposing the oil price hike. ??In Uttar Pradesh we will hold join campaigns against the oil price rise,?? a senior CPI(M) leader told FE.
A similar message has been sent to the Telugu Desham Party also, which will support a one-day hartal called by the Left parties in Andhra on Friday. ??The SP, TDP and the CPI(M) have decided to continue the present arrangement at Centre. Otherwise it would be difficult to check the BJP,?? the senior CPI(M) leader added.
Ties between the SP and the Congress showed a remarkable improvement in the wake of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh?s dinner invitation to SP MPs to mark the fourth anniversary of the UPA government.