JD(U) opts for alliance with Left parties for Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan polls

New Delhi: Despite Congress warming to it, Nitish Kumar`s JD(U) has decided to contest the upcoming Assembly polls in some states in alliance with CPI(M) and CPI, an indication that the Bihar Chief Minister is keeping his options open.

A decision to the effect was taken at a meeting of the party`s office bearers here, chaired by JD(U) President Sharad Yadav and its general secretaries Javed Raza, Arun Srivastava, KC Tyagi and others. Thus, JD(U) will contest Assembly polls in Congress-ruled Rajasthan as part of a multi-party front along with CPI(M), CPI, Samajwadi Party and Janta Dal (Secular). It would fight the elections in BJP-ruled Chhattisgarh under the banner of `Samyukta Morcha`, of which CPI is a part. The decision comes days before a national meeting of non- Congress, non-BJP parties on Oct. 30 here in which Left parties, JD(U), SP, PDP, JD(S) and some other parties are set to take part. The meeting is being projected as a sort of preliminary exercise to assess the possibility of the formation of a Third Front. In Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, Gondwana Gantantrik Party is the major alliance partner of JD(U). In Chhattisgarh, JD(U)`s other alliance partners will be Chhattisgarh Swabhiman Morcha, Loktantrik Samajwadi Party and Chhattisgarh Mukti Morcha. For Rajasthan, JD(U) MP KC Tyagi has held meetings with CPI(M)`s Brinda Karat and CPI`s AB Bardhan over an election strategy in the state. Yadav held a number of closed door meetings with Left leaders this month. Sources said he was keen to see a non- Congress, non-BJP formation take shape for the Lok Sabha elections next year. The Bihar Chief Minister had also earlier talked of the need for regional parties to come together to get their rights. "JD(U) will employ its full energy for the Oct. 30 conclave to bring non-Congress, non-BJP parties together," said a senior party leader.