Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa likely to skip Left-sponsored convention on October 30

NEW DELHI: After refusing BJP’s PM candidate Narendra Modi a political darshan last week, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa is likely to skip a Leftsponsored convention on secularism on October 30. Though the Left camp, technically an ally of Jayalalithaa’s AIADMK, says she may fail to make it to the convention “as she has to be present at a Bangalore court”, it is not sure whether she would send a party representative to attend the event.

Left Parties have also ejected YSR Congress from the list of invitees. While CPM was keen on inviting Jagan Mohan Reddy’s party, the plan was dropped after the pro-Telangana CPI said it would not share a platform with YSR Congress since it spearheads the agitation against the bifurcation of Andhra. Yet, CPM, which opposed to creation of new states, and pro-Telangana CPI will harmoniously play co-anchors to the convention.

Left parties have also invited MS Badal of People’s Party of Punjab. Singh, nephew of Parkash Singh Badal, had resigned as finance minister of Punjab after he opposed subsidy to Punjab’s farmers. While the sponsors have decided not to invite Congress or UPA parties, NCP leader DP Tripathi will attend the event.

When asked if Sharad Pawar too had talked to Left leaders, a leader said, “no, but DPT coming to our meet might suit Pawar’s please-all politics”. PDP’s Mufti Mohammed Sayeed, an outside supporter of UPA, too will attend the meet.