M A I N   N E W S

Third Front move: Jaya, CPI join hands
CPM’s Prakash Karat to meet TN CM today

Chennai, February 2
In yet another attempt to form a “secular and democratic alternative” to the Congress at the Centre, the AIADMK and the CPI today announced their alliance ahead of the Lok Sabha polls.

Addressing newspersons at her Poes Garden residence here along with CPI leaders A B Bardhan and Sudhakar Reddy, AIADMK chief and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa said, “The AIADMK and CPI have decided to enter into an alliance to face the upcoming Lok Sabha elections together.” Senior CPI leader Bardhan said, “I endorse whatever she has said. Our alliance will lead to victory. We will succeed.”

Many in the AIADMK want to project Jayalalithaa as their prime ministerial candidate.

She said, “That will come later. Our aim is to win all 40 seats in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. Our slogan for the elections is peace, prosperity and progress,” she said. Reddy said the alliance was a “secular and democratic alternative” in the elections.

The AIADMK general secretary said the CPM leader Prakash Karat would meet her tomorrow.

Left parties in Tamil Nadu have remained with the ruling AIADMK in Tamil Nadu since the 2011 Assembly polls, while Manidhaneya Makkal Katchi and Puthiya Thamizhagam have left the alliance and joined hands with the DMK. Today’s announcement could pave the way for a possible third front for the coming Lok Sabha elections. The BJP has already announced its alliance with the MDMK.

The DMK, which faced the 2009 Lok Sabha polls with the Congress, left the alliance over the Sri Lankan Tamils issue early last year and, at present, is trying to rope in the DMDK.

The DMDK, which was a major ally of the AIADMK in 2011 Assembly elections, parted ways with the ruling government. Vidithalai Chiruthaigal Katchi quit the UPA along with the DMK over the Sri Lankan Tamils issue and has remained with that party. — PTI

Poll permutations