The proposed coalition of parties is expected to present a set of alternative policies.
“As against the Congress and BJP, what policies they are propagating, what Narendra Modi has put out is a more extreme version of the neo-liberal policies being pursued by the UPA government,” Karat said. “When we are going to go for the elections, we will present our alternative policies and agenda,” he said.
Observing that the Aam Admi Party (AAP) does not appear to be growing anywhere except in Delhi, Karat said the Arvind Kejriwal-led party is not a substitute for Left parties in the country.
“I don't know where the AAP is growing except in Delhi. So, I have said this earlier, the AAP cannot be a substitute for the Left parties. In some states and some areas, may be they will be a substitute for other parties. But they cannot be a substitute for Left parties,” he said. Replying to a query, he said the CPI(M) has stood for “united Andhra Pradesh”.
Noting that the TDP, the erstwhile ally of the Left for long, appeared to be heading towards the BJP, he said his party considered the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) as an “opposition, secular” party.
Asked if an understanding between the YSRCP and CPI(M) is possible, he said the issue would be discussed by the CPI(M) state committee and a final decision would be taken after the Parliament session came to an end.
“Our state committee is meeting today and tomorrow to discuss our electoral tactics to be pursued in Andhra Pradesh. As you know, in this parliament session, the question of bifurcation, the bill is there. It will be finally known what will happen to the issue of bifurcation.
“The state committee will discuss the tactics to be pursued for the elections. But the final decision will be taken by our party only after the parliament session and the result of this session is known,” he said.
Asked how can the CPI(M) ally with YSR Congress, which is reportedly “regarded as a corrupt party”, he said his party goes by a political party's agenda, programmes and practices.
