Imphal, Feb. 2: The CPI, the partner of the Congress in the Secular Progressive Front (SPF) coalition since two consecutive terms, is now planning to join forces with non-Congress parties to form an alternate, “pro-people” government.

Talking to reporters here today, CPI state secretary Moirangthem Nara Singh said, “We are working on the lines of a multi-party government, which is more pro-people, more democratic, corruption free and effective.”

Earlier today, leaders of the CPI executive council, including Nara Singh, held a lengthy meeting with its 24 Assembly election candidates at the party head office here to review the emerging political scenario in the state in the wake of the January 28 polling, the counting for which will take place on March 4.

After the meeting, Nara Singh said the party had reviewed the political situation and had decided to work actively towards forming a multi-party coalition government.

Though he did not elaborate on the party’s strategy, he gave enough indications about the fact that the CPI was not planning to continue its tie-up with the Congress to form the next government.

The CPI joined hands with the Congress for the first time after the 2002 Assembly election to form the Secular Progressive Front (SPF) coalition.

After completing the first term, the parties fought the 2007 elections separately, but continued with the partnership. This time, too, they fought the election separately.

The relationship soured during the second term, with the CPI complaining that the Congress had a “big brother attitude”.

Nara Singh said the state needed a “strong” government that could tackle the issue of hill-valley divide, the insurgency problem along with corruption and unemployment, among others.

The CPI currently had three members in the state Assembly and hopes to increase the number this time.

A CPI source said the party leaders were keeping in touch with leaders of the five-party Opposition alliance — Peoples Democratic Front. The front, which comprises Manipur Peoples Party (MPP), NCP, RJD, Janata Dal (U) and the CPM, fielded candidates in 43 of the 60 Assembly seats in the January 28 election.

The convener of the front and MPP president Nimai Chand Luwang had already announced that the Opposition front was willing to join hands with all non-Congress parties, including the Left, to prevent the Congress from coming back to power.

The BJP, too, expressed its willingness to go to any extent, including joining hands with Left parties, for achieving the common goal of thwarting the Congress from returning to power.

The Congress, however, is hoping to form the government again. “We have not decided about having a post-poll alliance. However, we are confident of wining the majority,” Manipur PCC president Gaikhangam said.