Left parties to contest election in 5 states independently

The Left parties will contest the upcoming assembly elections in five states including Uttar Pradesh and Punjab independently, the CPI(M) said today.
Another Left party, CPI, though maintained that the communist parties should keep the option of joining hands with other democratic and secular parties open to keep "communal forces" at bay.
"The CPI(M), along with the other Left parties, will contest these elections independently projecting the Left alternative policies against the dangers of the current neo-liberal economic offensive on the people and threats of communal polarisation," CPI(M) said in a statement issued after its three-day central committee meeting here.

In UP, the party's focus would be fight communal forces and combinations, CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury said in Thiruvananathapuram and also ruled out the possibility of a "grand alliance" in the state.
Yechury said his party was not averse to have adjustments with AAP in Punjab. But, AAP has to clarify on certain issues like economic policy and fight against communalism.
When asked, CPI general secretary S Sudhakar Reddy said the Left parties will contest the elections together, but said his party is of the view that the alliance with other non-Left secular and democratic parties "should be expanded wherever possible".

"We will discuss this aspect with other Left parties including the CPI(M)," Reddy told PTI.
Asked about seat sharing among Left parties and other secular parties, Reddy said preliminary discussions have been held and things will be finalised in the coming days.
Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Uttarakhand, Goa and Manipur will go to polls between February and March.