A K Antony seems to keep open option of tie-up with Left after poll

KOTTAYAM: Senior Congress leader A K Antony today appeared to keep open the possibility of a tie-up with the Left after the Lok Sabha polls and said there were areas of cooperation between the two sides on issues of larger interest to the country.

Antony, who was here to inaugurate the valedictory session of the 125th anniversary of Malayalam daily 'Deepika', dismissed chances of Congress striking pre-poll alliance with the Left.

"There would not be any pre-poll alliance with the Left though Congress does not consider the Left as untouchable. But I cannot predict the scenario after the elections," he told reporters in reply to a question.

"In states like West Bengal, Kerala and Tripura, the Left and Congress are fighting each other. So, there is no question of a pre-poll alliance. I cannot say what will happen after the elections," he said.

Antony, however, said there were areas of co-operation between Left and Congress over issues concerning the larger interests of the country and that would continue.

Antony ruled out Lok Sabha polls being held before they are due early next year.

"No one need to expect interim elections. Elections will be held only next year," Antony said.