CPI (M) says no to alliance with Odisha Congress

Bhubaneswar: Putting days of speculation to end, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) today clarified that it will not enter into a direct alliance with the Congress in Odisha.

Briefing mediapersons, CPI (M) General Secretary Sitaram Yechury said there would be no alliance with the Odisha Congress for the upcoming general polls. “As per the decision of the national committee of the party we will seek Congress’ support for contesting in the Bhubaneswar Lok Sabha constituency and Bonai Assembly seat in Odisha," Yechury said.

“Our party’s prime agenda would be to break the base votes of the BJP so that they can be defeated at the national level. This apart at the State level, we have always been against the policies of the BJD, so will continue to do that as well,” said the Left wing leader.

OPCC Vice President Ananta Sethi said, “The CPI (M) will contest in the seats where we will not field our candidates and they will support us in the segments where we need them.”

CPI (M) sources said the party will hold its State council meeting tomorrow to discuss about the candidate selection process in Odisha.

It may be noted that Odisha Congress is likely to finalize its candidates for all the 147 Assembly and 21 Lok Sabha constituencies after the meeting of the Pradesh Election Committee tomorrow.