Karat confident of forming non-BJP, non-Congress government

Thiruvananthapuram, April 7 (IANS) CPI-M general secretary Prakash Karat Monday said he is confident that a non-BJP, non-Congress alliance will form the government after the Lok Sabha elections.

"We are not building castles in the air, but we are confident that we will be able to come together," Karat told the media here.

He said the poll results will throw up a situation similar to 1996 when the United Front government was formed.

"We are 11 parties and most are regional parties. Hence, we decided to contest elections independently," he said.

Asked if they would seek the Congress party's support, Karat said it was for the Congress to decide.

"The Congress is going to have its worst ever electoral performance this time," he added.

Karat was asked about the possibility of a third front alternative forming the government given that opinion polls are giving a clear edge to the Bharatiya Janata Party. He said such opinion polls are unreliable.

"Left parties do not do well in opinion polls and so does the BSP (Bahujan Samaj Party) in Uttar Pradesh. It's because people in some situations do not come forward to say their clear opinions," he said.

On the BJP manifesto, Karat said it is the same as it was in the past.

He said the anti-Congress wave across the country will also be seen in Kerala and the Left will make gains.