Karat says Pawar may join Third Front after elections

New Delhi, Apr. 10 (ANI): CPI (M) General Secretary Prakash Karat said on Friday that NCP chief Sharad Pawar may join the Third Front after the elections, as the "logic would lead him towards this option."

"Right now we are not having any understanding with him regarding the Third Front...But I think the logic of the situation would lead him to also consider this option," Karat told NDTV.

The CPI (M) leader admitted that Pawar would have various options open after the elections, but ultimately it could be Third Front that he may choose.

"I don't know what he will decide. I think he will have the option to consider (joining third front). He will consider various options after the elections," Karat said.

Asked whether Pawar could be accepted as the Prime Ministerial candidate of the Third Front, he said the issue would be decided only after the elections.

Karat, however, quickly added that the Third Front's Prime Minister candidate would be someone who not only sticks to the proposed Common Minimum Programme, but is also acceptable to all constituents of the coalition.

His comments came ahead of a rally to be addressed by both Pawar and Congress President Sonia Gandhi in Maharashtra on Friday.

Answering a question whether CPI (M) would support Pawar in case he emerges as a PM candidate, he said: "NO. No, I'm saying if the NCP is part of the non-Congress, non-BJP combination, if we successfully work out the Common Minimum Programme and if there is a wider acceptance for any candidate, (then) that candidate will become the choice."

On Wednesday, Pawar had fuelled speculations of being in negotiation with the Third Front after he was seen sharing a platform with Left and BJD leaders in Bubhaneshwar. (ANI)