The Hindu : National : Left-TDP leaders hold talks

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Left-TDP leaders hold talks

K.V. Prasad

Discussions also focussed on how to rope in other parties

— Photo: V. Sudershan

FOR NEW ALTERNATIVE: (From right anti-clockwise) CPI(M) general secretary Prakash Karat, CPI general secretary A.B. Bardhan, CPI leader Sudhakar Reddy, TDP president N. Chandrababu Naidu, CPI’s D. Raja and CPI(M) leader Sitaram Yechury at a breakfast meeting in New Delhi on Thursday.

NEW DELHI: Attempting to draw broad contours of a third political alternative in the country, leaders of the Left parties and the Telugu Desam Party met here on Thursday to discuss the political situation ahead of the Lok Sabha election.

“We discussed the possible pre-poll and post-poll scenario in the light of the alliances already in place among different parties,” TDP president N. Chandrababu Naidu told The Hindu.

Sharing the interpretation of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) that the recent Assembly polls showed a scope for the emergence of a third alternative, Mr. Naidu said the leaders plan to meet again to carry forward the discussions.

The meeting was attended by CPI(M) general secretary Prakash Karat, the party’s Parliamentary Party leader Sitaram Yechury, CPI general secretary A.B. Bardhan and his deputy S. Sudhakar Reddy and party MP D. Raja.

The TDP delegation included K. Yerrannaidu and K. Rama Mohana Rao, among others.

Tie-up with AIADMK

Mr. Karat said the Left parties informed the TDP of the decision to go with the All-India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam in Tamil Nadu. With this, the Left parties have firmed up electoral alliances in three southern States. The Left parties have an understanding with the Janata Dal (Secular) of H.D. Deve Gowda in Karnataka, while in Kerala, the CPI(M) heads the Left Front.

As for the north, Mr. Karat said the Left parties would try to work out how the Bahujan Samaj Party could cooperate. Discussions were also held on roping in other parties.

It is understood that the Left leaders asked Mr. Naidu to speak to Ms. Mayawati to send a message that a third political alternative is under way. This is in the backdrop of the firm knowledge that there would be no pre-poll alliance with the BSP.

Mr. Karat will attend a two-day Andhra Pradesh State Secretariat meeting of the party to identify seats for the general election.

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