Communist Party of India (Marxist) leaders disgruntled over Prakash Karat

New Delhi: Rumblings within the Left, particularly in the CPM, have begun over the repeated political misadventures of the party under its general secretary, Prakash Karat. Political bloomers and miscalculations have virtually pushed the party out of the national political scenario.

Mr Karat, whose dream of a third alternative was repeatedly shattered, is now being seen as knocking on the doors of the DMK and the SP after being snubbed by the AIADMK. On the other hand its rival, Mamata Banerjee, continues to grow in strength and stature. She seems to be stealing a march over the CPM at the national level too with her federal front gaining momentum over the Left’s pitch for a “third alternative.”

Though “frustration” seems to be brewing within the CPM, “none of the senior leaders are speaking out against Mr Karat on an open platform”, a party functionary said. Questions were being raised about the CPM’s repeated attempt to cobble up a “third front or alternative” with a section within the party claiming that such a formation has no ideological backing.