Bihar polls: Will wait and watch on alliance issue, says CPI

NEW DELHI: Left unity is the "first preference" for CPI and the party will "wait and watch" as regards coming to any decision for joining hands with the "secular alliance" of JD(U) and RJD for Bihar polls.

CPI will hold its three-day national council meeting at the end of the month in Chandigarh and a decision vis-a-vis the Bihar polls would be taken there, CPI General Secretary S Sudhakar Reddy told PTI.

"In the last parliamentary elections, we had an understanding with JD(U). But regarding this (Bihar) election, we still haven't started any discussion or negotiations. We want to do negotiations along with the Left. Left is the first preference," he said.

"Later, we will see what type of adjustments they (Janata Parivar) are going to make, whether they want to have an understanding with the Left parties. At the month-end, our National Council will meet at Chandigarh. Then, we will take a decision about Bihar elections," added Reddy.

CPI(M) yesterday, too, had said that it will take a call regarding Bihar polls after holding discussions with other Left outfits and taking stock of the developments in this connection.

The ruling JD(U) in Bihar and Lalu Prasad's RJD have decided to together contest the Assembly elections in the state later this year with Chief Minister Nitish Kumar to be the alliance's choice for the top post.