CPI may join hands with BJD for LS poll fray

BHUBANESWAR: Even as the state unit of CPI(M) decided to go alone in the ensuing Lok Sabha polls in Odisha, the CPI today said it was optimistic of entering into a seat adjustment with the ruling BJD.

"We would like to have a seat adjustment with BJD like the one we had in the 2009 elections. We had contested in one Lok Sabha constituency and few Assembly segments. We would like a repeat of that arrangement," senior CPI leader A B Bardhan told reporters after reaching here on a two-day visit.

Replying to a question, Bardhan said he will try to meet BJD president and Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and if he wants then both the parties can talk on the seat sharing. Under the adjustment with CPI last time, the party had fielded candidates in five Assembly segments and one Lok Sabha constituency. The party candidates had won in one Lok Sabha seat and one Assembly segment.

However, this time round BJD vice-president Kalpataru Das had said the party would field candidates in all the 147 Assembly segments and 21 Parliamentary constituencies even as party president Naveen Patnaik announced that the party would have seat adjustment with JMM in Sundergarh and in Mayurbhanj districts.

The CPI(M) has already announced its candidates for the forthcoming polls preferring to go it alone in the ensuing general elections in Odisha. The ruling BJD had last time entered into a seat sharing with CPI, CPI(M) and NCP.