left-led non-Congress non-BJP parties are meeting here on Tuesday to chalk out the strategy for the forthcoming lok Sabha polls. Apart from the four left parties, CPI(M), CPI, RSP and Forward Block, seven other parties are expected to attend the meet.
Samajwadi Party, Janata Dal (United), AIADMK, Janata Dal(S), AGP, BJD and Jharkhand Vikas Morcha are expected to send their representatives in the meeting of the 11-party consortium, planning to form an alternative to Congress and BJP-led fronts.
The leaders will address the media after the meeting, said a CPI(M) press release. Prakash Karat, AB Bardhan, Sitaram Yechury, S Sudhakar Reddy, Sharad Yadav, Ramgopal Yadav, Deve Gowda,
M Thambidurai and Babulal Marandi will attend the meting. The leaders of the 11 parties had formally made a public appearance together on the first day of the Parliament session, declaring their intention to “work as a block to prevent the shadow boxing of Congress and BJP in setting the agenda”. The left leaders’ attempt to bring a formidable pre-poll alliance is far from being formalised, as the main parties like SP, AIADMK and BJD have kept their cards close to their chest in so far as accommodating the left parties in their States is concerned.