"You can't be anti-establishment and be still for neo-liberal policies and then be an anti-corruption movement," Karat told IANS.
On being asked why the CPI-M could not replicate AAP's stunning debut in Indian electoral politics, winning 28 seats in December assembly polls, he said: "The AAP cannot substitute the Left in India."
Karat said the Left has emerged as a strong force in regions due to its working class and peasant movements.
He reiterated his views that the Congress will suffer its worst defeat in the Lok Sabha polls. His reasons: "Presiding over a system of loot and plunder; inflicting high inflation, failure to generate employment and massive corruption."
Furthermore, he attributes the rise of BJP's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi as a response to discontent engendered by "unbearable price rise, farmers distress and employment" being "utilised by the rightwing forces".
Karat accuses Modi of being "backed by big business and corporates" who feel Modi will perpetuate policies that will benefit them.
