CPI(M) looking to stitch a national alternative

Brushing aside Congress' overtures, CPI(M) says it will work for the defeat of UPA as well as NDA in next Lok Sabha elections while looking to stitch a national alternative with regional parties.
Narendra Modi or not as BJP's prime ministerial candidate, the major Left party has made it clear that it cannot support a secular Congress-led government which follows "neo-liberal policies".
"The prospects are bright for a non-Congress secular government and we will play our role to bring about such a government, if such a situation arises," CPI(M) General Secretary Prakash Karat told PTI in an interview.
65-year old Karat, who steered the Left campaign against UPA-I's nuclear deal with the US and withdrawal of support on the issue, claimed chances are "bleak" of UPA coming back to office for a third term.

"Both Congress and BJP may not be in a position to form the government," he said.
Karat was not impressed by Congress leader A K Antony's recent comments that the Left was "not untouchable", indicating it could do business with CPI(M) and other Left parties.