Prakash Karat meets Jayalalithaa

Chennai, Mar 31 (ANI): Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) General Secretary Prakash Karat met All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) chief J Jayalalithaa at her residence here on Monday.

During the hour-long meet, they discussed issues concerning the seat sharing in the ensuing elections to the Lok Sabha.

Earlier, Karat released the Tamil version of the party's manifesto.

Speaking to media persons he said that his party is keen on the formation of a non-Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and non-Congress secular Government at the Centre.

"As far as my party is concerned when we called for the defeat of the Congress that means we have no understanding with the Congress. Last time, we didn't call for the defeat of the Congress. Last time, we called for the defeat of the BJP and the formation of a secular government. This time, we are calling for the defeat of the Congress and the formation of an alternative secular government and not Congress led secular government," said Karat.

As for being a part of the government, he said the party would take a decision if the Third Front reaches a position to form the Government.

Further, he clarified that the CPI (M) stand on joining the Central Government after elections.

"Let us first reach the position of being able to form a government. If such a situation arises after the Lok Sabha polls, I think my party will seriously discuss the matter and take a decision. We have decided that every time depending on the circumstances, the party should take a decision whether to join the government or not. We have no principle that we should join the government neither there is a principle that we should join every government," added Karat.

Incidentally, no party or combination of parties has been ever been able to form a government in India sans the support of either Congress or the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Amidst all these trends, the Communists are hoping several fence-sitting parties, who in the past have allied themselves either with the Congress or the BJP, will this time join the Third Front. (ANI)