The All India Forward Block (AIFB) has also agreed in principle to tie up with the NCP. The alliance will be finalised in its central committee meeting to be held on Wednesday and Thursday. Speaking to The Financial Express, AIFB secretary G Devarajan said, "The central committee will finalise the strategy for the oncoming general elections."

He, however emphasised that the AIFB would remain part of the Left Front which is dominated by CPM. "There is nothing wrong in joining hands with anti-Congress and anti-BJP forces," Devarajan said.

Athavale's decision has though set at rest speculation on RPI extending support to the Sonia Congress, the party propagating BR Ambedkar's policies has onesagain split with another faction led by RS Gavai and Jogendra Kawade deciding to ally with the Sonia Congress.

Fate of Bansi Lal govt sealed

The fate of the 38-month-old Bansi Lal-led Haryana Vikas Party government was sealed on Tuesday with the reisgnation of 12 ministers who were joined by eight party legislators and three independents in joining the ranks of dissidents on the eve of the crucial Assembly session on Wednesday.

"Presently none wants elections in the state, we, a group of 16 HVP ministers and three independents, will sit together with the INLD and BJP to select a new leader to form the next government," rebel ministers Charan Dass Shorewala (finance), Vand others said at a a joint press conference here.

BJP not in a position to form govt on its own: Thakre

The BJP was not in a position to form the government on its own after the Lok Sabha polls and hence electoral alliance with other political parties was inevitable, according to party president Kushabhau Thakre. Hetold reporters in Nagpur that this seemed tobe the only practical approach to the upcoming mid-term polls.