Split over Andhra: little progress made as Karat meets Bardhan

Though both the parties have decided to fight unitedly in Andhra Pradesh, the differences in choice of alliance partners has complicated matters. With the CPIM insisting on remaining with Chandrababu Naidu, indications are that the CPI may ask its Andhra unit to have a re-think on its preference.

8220;It may take some time for both the parties to work out the tactics to be adopted in Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu,8221; a senior Left leader told The Indian Express. Karat and Bardhan agreed that both their parties should carry forward with the initiative to come up with a Left and democratic alternative.

Chandrababu Naidu is a key player in the Left plans to cobble up a viable non-BJP, non-Congress alternative and the CPIM central leadership is keen to have an electoral understanding with the TDP to keep the third front dreams alive.

Bardhan and Karat are also learnt to have discussed the electoral strategy to be adopted in Tamil Nadu. The state unit of the CPIM has already referred the matter to the Politburo with a detailed analysis of the options available before it, including aligning with either the AIADMK or Vijayakant8217;s DMDK or going alone with the CPI. The CPI National Executive which met here over the weekend had also discussed the matter and decided to have consultations with the CPIM to arrive at a common position.