JOIN USA possible third front, comprising non-Congress and non-Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) partners, got a further boost on Monday with the ruling All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) in Tamil Nadu formally announcing its alliance with the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPM) for the ensuing Lok Sabha polls.
The AIADMK's electoral tie-up with the CPM comes a day after the party announced its pre-poll alliance with the Communist Party of India.
The alliance was clinched after a delegation headed by CPM General Secretary Prakash Karat called on AIADMK supremo and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalitha at her Poes Garden residence.
The pact adds to the momentum surrounding the formation of a possible alternative front that is expected to involve the AIADMK and the two Left parties, besides the Janata Dal-United, Biju Janata Dal, Janata Dal-Secular, Samajwadi Party and the Trinamool Congress.
Party sources said in the meeting, which lasted for about half an hour, the two leaders also discussed about the formation of a third front, which is expected to become clearer during the upcoming Parliament session.
Speaking to the media after the meeting, Jayalalitha said the AIADMK had decided to enter into an alliance with the CPM for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. She said: “We will face the elections together. We expect this alliance will be very successful.”
To a question on who would be the next prime minister, she said it was not the time to discuss the issue. “That will arise only after the election results are announced,” she added. Stating that the AIADMK-Left parties combine was a winning combination, Karat exuded confidence that this alliance would ensure success in Tamil Nadu.