CPI(M) plans alliance with TDP in Panchayat polls.

Hyderabad, June 10 (UNI) The CPI(M) today expressed willingness to ally with the TDP in Khammam and Nalgonda districts in the coming panchayat polls.

Talking to mediapersons here, party senior leader and MLA Thammineni Veerabhadram said the understanding between the two parties will be only at the local level.

He said the situation could have been avoided if the Congress party had come forward for seat adjustments.

Stating his party, like any other party, was trying to improve its strength, Mr Veerabhadram said the CPI(M) would welcome the support of any like-minded party for the coming elections without compromising with its principles.

Last night, party Secretary Prakash Karat met TDP supremo and former Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu about for half-an-hour.

Talking to newspersons, after the meeting, Mr Karat had said his party would fight together with the TDP on the anti-people policies at both the state and national level.

Mr Naidu today called his senior colleagues T Devender Goud, Kadiyam Srihari and other Polit-Bureau members to his residence to discuss the proposed alliance with the CPI(M).

He also briefed them about the discussion he had with Mr Karat last night. Mr Naidu's colleagues were believed to have asked him clarifications about CPI(M) leaders' statements that the alliance was limited only to two districts.

After an hour-long discussion, Mr Naidu left for a tour to the neighbouring Ranga Reddy district to attend a meeting of the district party executive.

The CPI, the other major constituent of the Left, however want to stick to its pre-assembly poll alliance with the Congress in the ensuing local body polls.

Party Secretary Dr K Narayana and MP Suravaram Sudhakar Reddy yesterday clarified they would not ally with the TDP despite it snapping its ties with the BJP.

Meanwhile, PCC president today said it was not proper for the CPI(M) to talk about seat-sharing even before the election notification was issued. He however, dismissed reports on alliance between the CPI(M) and the TDP as mere rumours.

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