From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Bangalore

Bangalore, May 28: CPM will finalise its strategy for the Presidential election only after the UPA announced the name of its candidate, Brinda Karat, CPM Politburo member, said on Monday.

``The UPA should first announce its nominee,” she said indicating that CPM will take a decision only after that.

The Congress-led UPA is running the Government at the Centre. It is ruling not only in Delhi but in most State Assemblies and naturally, it should first spell out the name of its candidate.

NCP leader and former Lok Sabha Speaker P A Sangma, who has already been extended support by BJD and AIADMK for the Presidential polls, had met CPM General Secretary Prakash Karat on May 22 seeking the party’s support.
 

Release Vittal Malekudiya: Brinda asks DVS
 
Earlier, Brinda Karat met Karnataka Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda and pleaded for the immediate release of arrested Mangalore University student Vittal Malekudiya.

``The Chief Minister has assured speedy investigation and booking of officials, if found guilty of falsely booking Vittal,” she said.

Brinda Karat’s meeting with Karnataka Chief Minister comes within days of CPM General Secretary Prakash Karat’s recent meeting with Vittala in Udupi.

She made it clear that CPM will fight the case out till the end.

Vittal, a Mass Communication student of Mangalore University, was arrested for alleged links to Maoists.

Stating that his arrest was against the spirit of democracy, Brinda Karat said: “The government’s action is undemocratic. Vittala’s arrest is violation of the Forest Act.”

Protesters among the tribal population, who are fighting for their livelihood, are being branded as insurgents. Handcuffing of Vittal by Mangalore police was a most barbaric and heinous act, she said.