Talks on with CPI to finalise candidates for TN polls: Karat

Says his party in process of finalising candidates across major states

After failing to ink a seat sharing deal with the ruling AIADMK party in Tamil Nadu, the allies CPI (M) and CPI are in talks to finalise the list of candidates between them for the Lok Sabha polls in the state.

"As the AIADMK party decided not to continue the talks, we (CPI (M)) are in discussion with our partner CPI to finalise poll candidates in the state," said Prakash Karat, general secretary of CPI (M).

However, he did not specify the deadline for announcing the final list. He added the party was in the process of finalising candidates across major states.

Karat, who was here to participate in an international seminar on democracy, socialism and visions for the 21st century, said the party's list of candidates in Kerala would likely be released on March 11. The CPI (M) is part of the Left Democratic Front (LDF) alliance in the state.

When asked whether there would likely be any pre-poll alliance between the regional parties comprising the Third Front, he said any clarity on the Front's move would emerge after the completion of polls.

He said although it was not involved in seat sharing talks with parties like Nitish Kumar-led Janata Dal (United) and Mulayam Singh's Samajwadi Party, it had a common understanding with them and many other regional parties.

On the poll prospects of Arvind Kejriwal-led Aam Aadmi Party, Karat said the party would not have any electoral success outside New Delhi.