Not averse to talking to Mukul Roy: CPI-M's Deb

Days after fueling speculations of a probable tie-up with Congress, CPI-M leader Gautam Deb on Tuesday hinted he was not averse to talking to sidelined Trinamool Congress leader Mukul Roy.

"If Mukul Roy wants to talk to our party leaders or any individual, it is his prerogative. I cannot comment on it. But in politics, there is no such word called no," Deb told media persons when asked if the Marxists would look towards Roy for an alliance if he floats a new party.

Virtually disowned by his own party, former Trinamool general secretary Roy is speculated to be in the process of floating a new party.

Though Roy has remained non-committal, close aide and expelled Trinamool leader Dipak Ghosh on Sunday claimed the formalities for the new political outfit will begin after Eid.

Admitting that the Left Front was not in a position to defeat the Trinamool, Deb, the former state housing and public health engineering minister, had hinted at a possible tie-up with the Congress.

"There is a need for a grand alliance with like-minded political parties to defeat the Trinamool regime," Deb, a party central committee and state secretariat member, had told media persons earlier in the month.