Left alone, CPM likely to take on Cong in Andhra

The Left-Congress-TRS alliance in Andhra Pradesh was being seen as crucial to take on the TDP-BJP combine, especially for the Assembly elections. The Left might be, after all, putting up candidates to pressure the Congress to hitch a last-minute deal. ‘‘We want to minimise the conflict to avoid division of the secular anti-BJP/TDP votes. But we will take our own decision and put up candidates wherever we have a presence,’’ Karat said.

The CPI(M)’s Andhra unit will take a decision on both the Assembly and Lok Sabha seats on March 15. However, the CPI is still hopeful that an ‘‘understanding’’ can be arrived at in Andhra.

Meanwhile, the Left parties have been sticking it out with the war of nerves with RJD chief Laloo Prasad Yadav for seats in Bihar. ‘‘We are being patient. We told the Congress and LJP we will wait till March 15,’’ CPI general secretary A.B. Bardhan said.

But the CPI(M) has now got an offer from the RJD chief for the Bhagalpur seat. ‘‘Now that the state is bifurcated, they (RJD) are saying they cannot give more seats,’’ Karat said. The CPI(M) had been asking for two seats.

On one issue, the CPI(M) is clear. It will contest against Pappu Yadav, Independent MP in the dissolved House. The move is aimed at avenging the murder of Left trade union leader Ajit Sarkar in which Pappu Yadav is an accused.