Left trying to forge tie-up with regional parties: Karat

CPI-M on Thursday said Left parties were in consultation with various regional parties to forge a tie-up after the Lok Sabha elections in order to give an effective alternative to people.

The Left parties were in consultation with various regional parties like the Samajwadi Party in Uttar Pradesh, JD(U) in Bihar, AIADMK in Tamil Nadu, JD(S) in Karnataka and BJD in Odisha, CPI-M General Secretary Prakash Karat told reporters in  Bhubaneswar.

These parties could come together after the general elections, Karat said but rejected the term 'Third Front' for their platform.

"Our party is trying to have an electoral understanding with non-Congress and secular parties. I met Naveen Patnaik yesterday and hope to have an understanding with the BJD in Odisha," he said.

Slamming both Congress and BJP, Karat said the two terms of the UPA has led to suffering of the people and loot of natural resources to benefit corporates. "Both the parties have entered into a competition to make better policies for the interest of corporates," he said.

"The policies of Manmohan Singh and Narendra Modi are not different. People are fed up with the price rise, loot of resources and of course corruption," Karat said adding that the Left parties are trying to bail the country out from the twin national parties.

As Congress is going down, it will be Left parties and other secular parties which can fight BJP, he said.

CPI(M) has decided to field candidates in 35 Lok Sabha seats spread over eight states but could fight in more seats following tie-up with regional parties, Karat said.

Asked whether his party would like to have a tie-up with the BJD, which has been tainted by the mining scam, Karat said Left parties have an understanding on economic policies that is radically different from the policies followed by the BJP and Congress.

On whether Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik could be the prime ministerial candidate of their front, Karat said: "Let the election be held. Why do you want to jump the gun?"

Karat also ruled out any understanding with the Aam Admi Party (AAP). "AAP can not be a substitute for the Left parties. They think AAP is the only party to become an alternative," Karat said.