The CPI on Thursday ruled out joining hands with the Congress after the Lok Sabha elections, even if the secular parties need to unite against the communal BJP in the post-poll scenario.

“Modi and Manmohan are two sides of the same coin," CPI leaders said while releasing their party’s manifesto for the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections. The leaders declared that they want to defeat both the Congress and the BJP, stating: “both the neo-liberal and communal policies are disastrous for the country.”

When reporters asked about the hints dropped by CPI(M) leader Buddhadeb Bhatacharya on the Left supporting Congress to keep the BJP out of power, senior CPI leader Gurudas Dasgupta reacted sharply saying: “There is no question of supporting anybody against whom we are firing our guns."

Gupta, CPI General Secretary Sudhakar Reddy, senior leader AB Bardhan and D Raja strongly attacked both the mainstream parties, saying that the country needs a strong left block. “Both Congress and BJP has been in direct collaboration to promote those favouring corporate capital and imperialism,” they said.

However, Sudhakar Reddy admitted: “The post-poll scenario will be of great political churning that will lead to realignment of political forces.”