CPI, CPI(M) eyeing best alliance for AP by-polls

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As the bye-elections to the four Lok Sabha and 18 Assembly seats in Andhra Pradesh to take place in the May-end, both the CPI and the CPI(M), who have considerable vote base in the Telengana region, have adopted a ‘wait and watch’ policy to clinch the best alliance. The Left party’s ‘‘indecision’’ in finalising the poll strategy is making the pre-election hobnobbing interesting, as both the Congress and the TDP are keen on alliance with the Left.

There is even a possibility of chinks in the ‘‘Left unity’’ as both the parties have already started their campaign separately. When the Congress is trying to keep the last election’s alliance with the CPI, the TDP leadership is interested in a political patch up with the CPI(M). But the Left parties are together keeping an eye on the mega star Chiranjeevi’s camp with eagerness so as to churn out the possibility of a third alternative in the state.

‘‘We have noted down four constituencies, where our chances are good. At present we are starting the campaign in two constituencies. A final decision will be taken only after discussions with the CPI(M),’’ CPI deputy general secretary S Sudhakar Reddy told FE. He also said the party is ‘‘keenly watching the situation’’ and did not rule out any possible alliance any other political formations.

The CPI(M), said that it is not holding any discussions with other political parties than the CPI on the bye-elections. ‘‘There were no discussions with either the TDP or the Congress. The media reports on alliances are just speculations. We will discuss the possibilities with the CPI and will take a decision soon,’’ CPI(M) central committee member and Rajya Sabha MP from Andhra Pradesh P Madhu told FE. The discussions will conclude by April 27, the Left sources said.

The CPI(M) and the CPI have diametrically opposite views on the issue of Telengana. When the CPI favours the Telengana state, the CPI(M) is against the division of Andhra Pradesh. However, after the recent CPI congress in Coimbatore, the party has mellowed down in the position as a group of pro-Telengana activists tried to attack the venue shouting slogans.

The relationship between the CPI(M) and the Congress had touched a new low after the Khammam firing last year, which killed eight CPI(M) activists. Though the Central leadership of the CPI(M) is holding joint struggles with the TDP on a whole lot issues ranging from nuclear deal and price rise, the Andhra unit of the party is not so keen for an electoral alliance with the TDP. The Andhra unit had also raised this matter at the 19th Congress of the CPI(M) held at Coimbatore recently.