Cong will be forced to support alternative govt at Centre:CPI

Stating that the chances were bright for a non-BJP and non-Congress government at the Centre after Lok Sabha polls, CPI Tamil Nadu Secretary D Pandian today said Congress will be forced to support that alternative to keep the Saffron party out of power.
Asked whether there was a possibility of Left parties supporting Congress, if it fell short of a majority, as was done during the first UPA regime, Pandian said, "It would be the other way around. This time Congress will be forced to support a government, as non-BJP and non-Congress parties will emerge victorious."
Asked what could be the role of the Left parties, which are not willing for a pre-poll alliance and not naming a prime ministerial candidate, Pandian said it would all depend on the results, offer for outside support and the strength of the parties coming forward to stake claim to form the government.

On alliance in Tamil Nadu, he said as such the left parties are in alliance with ruling AIADMK, which are aware of their expectations, despite that party's statement that it was going to contest all 40 seats in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry.
On other parties vying with each other to enter into alliance with the Vijayakanth-led DMDK, Pandian said "all these parties would be in the ocean, after the elections."
Stating that issues like rights of Sri Lankan Tamils, attack and killings of fishermen would be the major issues taken up against the Centre for campaigning, he said the river water dispute with neighbouring States and linking of rivers would also be taken up during the polls.

Pandian said CPI at the national level has taken up the issue of an alleged major scam to the tune of Rs two lakh crore, involving some banks, for reportedly cheating some exporters from Tirupur through Derivatives and has sought a thorough CBI probe into it and also CAG's intervention.