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New Delhi: The blueprint for the great Left-Congress divide that has been simmering for the past few months is being readied.
If the Left Front sources are to be believed, the Marxists would start distancing themselves form the ruling coalition after the presentation of the budget later this month.
The Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPM) politburo which is slated to meet from February 25 to coincide with the beginning of the budget session is expected to discuss the issue.
"Since the government is not adhering to the CMP [common minimum programme] any longer, there is a growing feeling that we should not take blame for their follies," a senior CPM leader said.
The Left Front, which has sustained the minority United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government with its crucial outside support since May 2004, is distraught over reports about UPA plans for advancing the general elections by six months and use the forthcoming budget to give sops to the burgeoning 300 million middle class.
Besides discussing its deteriorating ties with the Congress party-led UPA, the politburo is also scheduled to take up the issues of expanding its hold in the Hindi heartland states and revival of the anti-Congress, anti-BJP Third Front in association with the fledgling UNPA, an alliance of half a dozen regional parties.
The Marxists may in all probability join ranks with the opposition in criticising the budget when it is presented on February 28.
The Congress party circles openly say that it is going to be the last budget of the incumbent government, leaving none in doubt that they intend to go in for fresh polls before schedule, which is April-May next year.
The Left would like to focus on how the common man has suffered because of wrong economic policies.
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