Modi wave is a farce: D Raja

• Third Front will emerge on the scene after the results
• Left parties want to keep both Cong and BJP out of power

The State witnessed the second phase of elections on Wednesday. What do you think of the claim of Modi wave in the country?

Modi wave is a farce. There is no such thing in the State. Wherever I went for campaigning I found that there was anger among the people against the present government. It is facing the wrath of the people. If there was a Modi wave, then what was the need for him to campaign desperately in the State and other parts of the country?

The war of words between Modi and Priyanka drew a lot of attention. How do you look at it?

Both the BJP and the Congress failed to campaign highlighting their policies and undermined the meaningful debate. They completely personalised the campaign which mostly centered around individuals. We hope that both of them would be defeated in the elections and an alternative government would emerge.

In these elections, where do the Left parties stand. What are the chances of forming a Third Front?

We never spoke about Third Front. It was coined by the media, while other political parties highlighted it. What we are talking about is an alternative to the two major political parties. The CPI and other Left parties have decided to campaign against the Congress at the national level to ensure its defeat and to prevent the BJP from coming to power. We want to ensure that the divisive and fascists forces do not come to power. Modi is a candidate directly sponsored by the RSS.

How this ‘alternative’ would emerge and which parties would be part of it?

This is a hypothetical question. Once the elections are over, based on the verdict we shall discuss and decide the future. Post election scenario should be analysed. When a concrete situation emerges, the Left parties will play a role, as there will be realignment of political forces after the elections.

When you are talking about non-Congress and non-BJP alternative, what was the reason to support the Congress in Telangana?

As we supported the Telangana issue, the party intended to keep the ‘rightists and reactionary forces’ at bay by joining hands with the Congress. A new situation arose in a newly formed State. What was attempted was not done. We thought of averting a contest, but in several constituencies there were Congress rebel candidates.