Don't judge future of Left by poll success: Thomas Isaac

Hyderabad: CPI(M) leader and Kerala Finance Minister Thomas Isaac on Thursday said the Left has relevance in the country regardless of its strength in parliament or assembly as it is the only political formation which puts up an 'alternative agenda."

"All political parties in the country today follow neo-liberal agenda. Left alone has an alternative agenda. It does not matter that whatever be your strength in parliament or assembly," he said.

"This is the only political formation in India which puts up an alternative, whether you agree or not. Left has a relevance," he said.

Isaac was asked by PTI about the challenge to Left in the country in view of the outcome of Lok Sabha elections, with the Left putting up a poor show.

The Left would learn from its mistakes and work among people to increase its influence, he said.

Recalling that Left had got only four per cent votes in Kerala in 1952, he said it, however, won the election in 1957 with 30 per cent vote.

"Don't be judge of the future of the Left by the number of success today. We will work among the people, gain the confidence and move forward," he said.

Isaac was speaking on the sidelines of All India Kisan Council Meeting of the All India Kisan Sabha here.

Asked about the comments of Trinamool Congress chief and West Bengal Chief minister Mamata Banerjee asking Congress and Left parties to come together with her party to fight the BJP, Isaac told reporters that she should first address the violence she has allegedly been unleashing against Left in the state.

CPI(M) in West Bengal has responded on the matter, he said.

"Mamata Banerjee must first show her earnestness, changing her policies, changing the kind of violence she has been unleashing against the Left ever since she came to office in Bengal," he said.