Addressing a campaign rally in Midnapore, the veteran Marxist said his party had initiated dialogue with Laloo Prasad Yadav's RJD, Sharad Pawar's NCP, Mulayam Singh Yadav's Samajwadi Party and the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) to discuss the possibility of totting up a Third Front government.

Basu felt Telegu Desam Party (TDP) chief Nara Chandrababu Naidu would return to the Third Front once it wasformed. "He (Naidu) played such an important role in the installation of the United Front government. He is welcome to join the Third Front as well," he said. The CPI-M would also invite the National Conference of Jammu & Kashmir chief minister Farooq Abdullah to join the force, he added.

Basu has earlier said he saw a "bigger role for the Leftist parties" in New Delhi after the parliamentary polls, triggering speculation that the CPI-M would lead such a coalition with him as prime minister. Basu said the CPI-M had the unique experience of successfully running a coalition of 10 parties in West Bengal for an unbroken 23 years and a Third Front government could benefit from that experience. Political observers feel the statement was indication enough that the Marxists were hoping to emerge as the largest party among the Third Front constituents and play a leading role in running a government in New Delhi.

Though Basu ruled out the possibility of the CPI-M extending support to a Congress government becauseof the latter's economic policies, the octogenarian leader left scope for a change of heart saying, "but the Congress is, of course, secular and our biggest enemy is the BJP."

On the possibility of his becoming prime minister, Basu said "we will cross the bridge when it comes". He said the CPI-M politburo would discuss the issue of joining the government. He had earlier said if health permitted, he would accept the responsibility of prime ministership.

The veteran leader came close to becoming prime minister heading a United Front government in 1996, but was denied the opportunity by the CPI-M politburo. Thereafter he had described the decision of the party as a "historic blunder". It is now believed that the Marxist politburo has undergone a change of heart and would allow Basu to become head of government in New Delhi.

Meanwhile, according to a report here, Basu had once again hinted at the possibility of retiring from politics. "My health is not well. I am thinking of talking about retirement with myparty after October," Basu, 85, was quoted as saying. The reported statement and the speech at Midnapore have added to the confusion surrounding Basu's likely retirement. He had recently said "Communists do not retire".

India Abroad News Service