Trinamool Congress 'throttling' democracy in West Bengal: Manik Sarkar

'They (AAP) are not against Capitalism, but against crony capitalism. They are against Ambanis, but not others.  They have not cleared their stand on FDI and privatisation of banks, insurance, education and healthcare sectors. They have not cleared their position yet.

'Despite that, if they want to join us, they are most welcome. They are attacking BJP and criticising Congress...  all secular, democratic and non-communal parties will sit after the results and decide on a future course of action,' he said.

On the Left's expectations from the ongoing Lok Sabha elections, the Tripura Chief Minister said the party expects to do better across the country than the 2009 elections.  

'We are getting a very good and encouraging response from the people. They are understanding our view that both Congress and BJP have the same economic policies and are corrupt. This election is going to have a far reaching impact,' he said.  

Sarkar, who is dubbed as the poorest Chief Minister of India, declined to put a number on how many seats CPI(M) and the Left was expecting this time.

CPI(M) had won its all-time high of 44 seats in the 2004 Lok Sabha elections, but performed poorly in 2009 and bagged only 16 seats in the Lower House of Parliament.