Shenanigans of Comrade

When UPA came to power, many people were certain that it would be held hostage to whims of comrades.
The apprehension was ofcourse correct and unfolding series proved that beyond any doubt.

A little more than one year after UPA came to power, all the talk of further economic reform has died. Sure Thambi Chidambaram does make noises about allowing FDI in retail or disinvesting PSU's, but any such heresy is swiftly repudiated by "friends of comman men".

Left's intransigence in economic matters could be rationalized as pandering to its base consisting of union thugs/indolent PSU workers, who have to be kept motivated in view of coming assembly elections.

However left's undue interest in defense/foreign policy is alarming.
Ofcourse even initially CMP's promise of "independent foreign policy" was concession to communist delusions of NAM/Anti-Imperialism. But it was generally understood that this was one area of where consensus will prevail (I am not a great supporter of consensus, but in this case I am happy with policy direction).

But Left's actions (noted below) since past few days is getting more and more bizarre and, what's a matter of concern, openly hostile to GOI's policy.

1) Left, SP use Iran to warn UPA: we are over 100 MPs, you better ...

2) Cong target at SP's Iran rally, Left mum

3) Left threatens vote on Iran in Parliament

I am trying to understand why left will unneccessarily make things hard for gentle Doctor.
It could be for following reasons,

1) To reassure its base. However I dont see that workers or marginal farmers will have any interest in defense/foreign policy

2) To show Manmohan Singh who is the boss, so that he does get any ideas. What left is doing is too shrill.

3) Prakash Karat is a hardliner and he is reorienting left towards a more dogmatic/traditional position. I don't see any gains out of it.

4) Or is it possible that left is aiming towards a 3rd front government, either during this parliament or the next one (in case this one is dissolved)?
At present, parties like SP are already aligned with Left and with Deve Gowda getting more and more bellicose, it can be assumed that he will side with a more pro-poor alignment.
Regional parties have, in general comfortable relation with left and will be more favourable towards any dispension led by left.
With BJP in a disarray , 3rd front is going to be the major gainer in next elections.
If this is true then it is certainly not a good news for Madam or Doctor.

Update: Sandeep is also frustrated with left