CPI, CPI(M) struck understanding for April 11 polls

The CPI and CPI(M) Tuesday struck an electoral understanding in respect of four Lok Sabha seats in Telangana going to the polls on April 11, a senior CPI(M) leader said. Accordingly, the CPI would contest Mahabubabad and Bhuvanagiri seats, and the CPI-M Khammam and Nalgonda, CPI(M) state secretary Tammineni Veerabhadram told PTI.

Telangana has a total of 17 Lok Sabha segments. In the December 7, 2018, assembly elections, the two Left parties had fought on different fronts.

The CPI had sailed in the Congress-led "Mahakutami" (People's Front), which also had the Telugu Desam Party and Prof. M Kodandaram-led Telangana Jana Samiti (TJS). The CPI(M) had fielded candidates under the banner of the Bahujan Left Front (BLF), which comprised several smaller parties. "For the remaining (13 Lok Sabha) seats we are trying to align with Pawan Kalyan (Jana Sena), Kodandaram's party and BLF partner parties", Veerabhadram said.

(With inputs from agencies.)