Punjab Congress wants to ally with Left parties

NEW DELHI: The Punjab Congress is rooting for an alliance with the Left and other secular forces ahead of 2014 parliamentary polls. Congress chief Partap Singh Bajwa has sought permission from the party high command for such an alliance at the state level. Sources said Bajwa has made a strong pitch for an alliance with CPM, CPI, Manpreet Singh Badal's People's Party of Punjab, BSP and Akali Dal (Longowal).

While CPM is not a force to reckon with, CPI has its areas of influence and Congress is keen to tap into them. Speaking to ET , Bajwa said, "We have put forth a proposal and the high command will take a call. The issue would be taken up by the Antony committee." The proposal stems from the fact that Congress has not been able to make a dent in SAD-BJP strongholds and is unlikely to hold on to its LS seats in the 2014 polls.