With its popularity on the wane, the CPI (M) is going in for a "tactical" shift. It has shelved its ambitious dream of creating a Third Front to challenge the Congress and the BJP, and has instead decided to focus on expanding its own base in States where it has little influence.

In its political draft resolution released on Saturday, it has blamed the "opportunistic attitude" of the regional parties for its decision to junk its Third Front agenda. Nevertheless, intriguingly, the major Left party has itself 'resolved' to go in for "tactical" electoral alliances depending on the political situation of each State. It termed the diluted version of the creation of such fronts as "building the alliance of the Left and democratic forces".

Also, unlike earlier when it termed the BJP and the RSS as its main political enemies, the party now says "defeating the Congress and UPA Government is imperative" and "isolating BJP and countering its communal and rightwing agenda is necessary".

Releasing the draft political resolution for debate within the party at all levels two months ahead of the 20th Congress in April, CPI(M) General Secretary Prakash Karat said the "central focus" now would be on strengthening the party and stepping up its independent role and activities.

"In the current situation when the Left has suffered serious electoral reverses, and when West Bengal, the strongest base of the party is under attack, it is of utmost importance to expand the influence and the base of the party in other States," Karat said, while addressing media with politburo members Sitaram Yechury and K Varadarajan.

Karat stressed that the party would continue its fight against the policies and corruption in the UPA Government "inside and outside" the Parliament with "secular parties".

Asked about CPI general secretary A B Bardhan's recent public criticism of CPI(M) in the context of the Left defeat in West Bengal, Karat said, "There must be a balanced understanding. The Left Front ruled for 34 years, won seven consecutive Assembly elections and achieved so much.

"That must be seen in perspective. There may be different views. We should discuss this in a constructive and fraternal manner within the Left Front." Maintaining that there has to be greater emphasis on Left unity, he said there were a number of Left-minded groups and individuals outside Left parties "who should be brought together on issues which the Left advocates."

However Karat did not answer specifically to the questions on the "opportunism" of regional parties, Jayalalithaa's shift towards BJP and LK Advani terming her AIADMK as a natural ally.

The draft resolution would be finally adopted at the party congress to be held in Kozhikode in Kerala from April 4-9.