Kerala: No agenda before CPI(M) to have alliance with Congress for assembly polls

Thiruvananthapuram: CPI(M) on Saturday made it clear that there was no agenda before the party to have any kind of alliance with Congress for the coming assembly polls in the state, amid reports on moves for a poll tie-up between the two parties in West Bengal.

"CPI(M) has not taken any decision to have a tie-up with Congress and there is no agenda now before us to have any kind of alliance with that party," senior politburo member and CPIM State Secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan said.

A decision on such issues, being a political one, would be taken only after discussions in the politburo and Central Committee of the party, he said when asked about reports of West Bengal party unit's move for a poll tie-up with Congress.

Another senior politburo member and former CPI(M) state secretary Pinarayi Vijayan said there was no confusion in the party over the issue.

"The Party congress, the supreme body of CPI(M) that takes decisions on such issues, has categorically stated its stand on the issue. There is no change in our stand of opposing Congress and that is what we are following," Vijayan, on a 'Nava Kerala March' from Kasargod to Thiruvananthapuram, said.

The march, which began at Kasargod on January 15, has raised the slogan of secular, corruption free and developed Kerala. Vijayan said, CPI(M)'s policy was to oppose both communal forces and Congress, who are the "apostle" of neo-liberalism.

"The party views communalism as a danger to society. But it is not in favour of joining hands with those who initiated several anti-people measure under the new liberal economic policy to take on communal forces", he said.

"There is no need for you (media) to have any confusion on the issue by hearing any reports (contrary to this), Vijayan added.