The CPI (M) and CPI have said they would not decide on which candidates to lend support to in the constituencies they are not contesting, till there is absolute clarity on the final list of candidates in the fray. Left leaders said they would wait till April 9, the last date for the withdrawal of nominations, to discuss with each other on whom to extend support to.
The two Left parties are contesting the Lok Sabha polls in nine constituencies in alliance with each other, after their poll pact with the AIADMK broke down following disagreement over seat sharing. The parties had said they would announce their support to others soon, but have deferred the decision.
“We want to wait till the last date for withdrawal of nominations before we discuss with each other. Only then will we be sure of who is contesting and who is not. Right now, many candidates are announcing one day that they are contesting and withdrawing suddenly,” said CPI State secretary D Pandian.
The Left leader, however, refused to fuel any speculation over whom they might end up supporting. “It is too early to have a clear idea. There is still a substantial amount of time left before we have to make such a decision. But, if favourable candidates are announced, we could announce our support, like we did with the two candidates of the JD (S),” said CPI (M) central committee leader T K Rangarajan.
Once the final list of candidates for all the constituencies is out, the State leadership of both the parties would meet to decide whom to extend support to in the constituencies they are not contesting. This list would then be forwarded by the two parties to their respective national leaderships for approval, before being announced.