Regional parties hold key to govt formation at Centre: Karat

Regional political parties hold the key to government formation at the Centre after Lok Sabha polls, CPI-M politburo member Brinda Karat said here today.

Her party is working on a formula for alliance with regional parties ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, besides unity among Left parties, Karat told reporters here.

"Actual position will be clear in the near future," the Rajya Sabha MP said.

She said her party would hold discussions with an open mind for an alliance at least in Jharkhand, Bihar and West Bengal.

Asked about a Left party allying with political parties like AIADMK, Karat said its chief Jayalaithaa had not been indicted by any court on the issue of corruption.

She claimed if fair elections were held in West Bengal, the Left would repeat its 2004 performance in the Lok Sabha polls.

She urged the Election Commission to keep a special watch on West Bengal during the elections, alleging that Trinamool Congress might rig them.

The CPI(M) leader hailed Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar for providing a job to the father of a rape victim of West Bengal.

She criticised Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for rapes in West Bengal.