All eyes were on Prakash Karat as he walked into the Press Conference to analyse the handsome victory of Communist party of India (Marxist).
He was firm but restrained. He was not shy of taking credit for his party and he sent the message that CPM can't be taken for granted.
He said, "CPM has received great appreciation amongst the minority in Kerala because of the lines they have pursued in defense of minorities and the fight they have taken up in defence of independent foreign policy. Party is against the American imperialism and their presence in countries of West Asia."
Assembly Elections: Complete Coverage
He said that this election results have strengthened the role of Left parties in national politics. He said whatever policy matters CPM has proposed to the government so far and which falls under Common Minimum Programme will be taken up with government.
He said that there wouldn't be any fundamental change of stance in the party because
West Bengal and Kerala elections don't have any bearings on their party at the national level. He said, "Ours is the national party. We will continue with our national policy."
He branded the victories as victory for secular forces because BJP has won no seats in four States out of five that went to poll. BJP has won only in Assam. He reluctantly said that only Tamilnadu is a UPA victory.
He said, "My party and other Left parties are playing a role since Lok Sabha election and formation of UPA government. I look forward to increasing interventions after these elections."
When asked to explain the kinds of interventions he envisages he refused to go in detail.
He summed up the days events by saying that, "As you know from the outset we were aiming to improve our position from the traditional two-thirds majority that we were getting in the last six elections. We are very glad that party in West Bengal has achieved this splendid victory. The results have shown that not only we have retained the support of working people who are traditionally with Left but have also gained new sections. In Kerala we have got the two-third majority.
After a long time a Left party has got such a decisive majority. There was no doubt that in last two years UDF government's misrule had alienated all sections of people. We have support from those who were traditionally voting for UDF. CPM and Left allies have made inroads into Muslim league strongholds. LDF has ditched traditional alignments in Kerala. This is the positive force."
Karat, then, distinguished his party by highlighting the fact that his party takes manifestoes seriously.
He said, "With these two victories we have more responsibility. We take our manifestoes seriously. We don't forget our manifestoes after the elections. We will take up the programmes to expedite its implementation."
He also said that he welcomes DMK win in Tamil Nadu with whom his party has an alliance. CPM has won nine seats in Tamil Nadu. He said in Assam and Tamil Nadu they were only aiming to improve CPM's strength.
In the last Assembly, in Assam, CPM had no representation, now they have won two seats.
He alleged that the role of Election Commission was questionable. Reforms in EC are needed and the nation should debate over EC's role, he proposed.
When asked is the CPM victory due to leaders like Buddhadeb Bhatacharya and V S Achyutanand, he quickly retorted back to a journalist, "You don't seem to be knowing much about CPI-M.
Do you want to say that for 29 years we have been winning because of some individuals? All I can say is that we don't work that way. It is a collective efforts. There are roles for individuals. What the results of West Bengal have shown is that there is malicious propaganda that we have been winning the elections by rigging is now exploded. I am happy that an unwarranted intervention by EC has put an end to that propaganda."
In CPM the party's politburo discusses the leadership in the States and conveys its decision for selecting CM to the State committee. Karat said that elected MLAs would go by the party's decisions.
He refused to comment on "signature campaign" in Congress requesting Sonia Gandhi to become Prime Minister. He said, "It's a matter that doesn't concern us."