AIADMK-CPI(M) strike a deal for LS polls

Following up on its agreement with CPI, the AIADMK today worked out an alliance with CPI(M) to fight the Lok Sabha polls in Tamil Nadu as efforts to cobble a non-BJP, non-Congress front gained momentum.
"I am happy to announce that the AIADMK and the CPI(M) have decided to enter into an alliance to face the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections together. And we expect that this alliance would be very successful," AIADMK supremo Jayalalithaa announced here in the presence of CPI(M) leader Prakash Karat.
The decision comes before the Feb 5 meeting of leaders of Parliamentary Parties of various non-Congress, non-BJP in Parliament on Feb 5 that could be the starting point for formation of a front for the Lok Sabha polls.

In Patna, Bihar Chief Minister and JD(U) leader Nitish Kumar, who is working for building a third front of parties claimed that there was no chance of either BJP or Congress-led alliances coming to power.
"...In this circumstance, formation of a grouping of anti-Congress and anti-BJP parties will be significant in the coming Lok Sabha elections.
There were 'functional problems' in forming a separate grouping of non-BJP and non-Congress parties in Parliament but efforts would be made to forge 'maximum possible unity'.

"It's known that in West Bengal, the Trinamool Congress and the Left cannot come together. Similarly, in Uttar Pradesh SP and BSP are loggerheads with each other," Kumar said.

"Our efforts will be to forge maximum possible unity among parties on common issues while parties will maintain their separate identities," he said.
Kumar, who is driving force of the JD(U), said after February 5 meeting in Delhi, it would be clear what shape the grouping would take.
"Formation of a separate grouping in Parliament will be a new thing," he said.