Seeking to capitalise on the large number of non-Congress and non-BJP parties having “substantial support and strength in the country,” the AIADMK and the CPI(M) on Monday entered into an alliance in Tamil Nadu for the Lok Sabha polls.
“I am happy to announce that the AIADMK and the CPI(M) have decided to enter into an alliance to face the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections together. And we expect that this alliance would be very successful,” AIADMK supremo Jayalalithaa announced here in the presence of CPI(M) leader Prakash Karat.
The CPI(M) General Secretary said the two parties are confident that their alliance will be successful in the State and also “contribute to providing an alternative in the country.”
“I think it is clear that there are a large number of parties — non-Congress, non-BJP parties — which have substantial support and strength in this country. This will be reflected in the coming elections,” Karat said.
Asked if Jayalalithaa will be their prime ministerial candidate, Karat said it is pointless for any party to enter into such discussions now as the question will arise only after the election results were out.
Pact with CPI
On Sunday, the AIADMK had announced an alliance with the CPI for the LS polls.
Left parties in Tamil Nadu have remained with the AIADMK since the 2011 Assembly polls, while the Manidhaneya Makkal Katchi and the Puthiya Thamizhagam have left the alliance and joined hands with the DMK. The Left parties’ ties with the AIADMK grew stronger after Jayalalithaa supported two Left candidates in the Rajya Sabha polls, leading to their victory.