AIADMK, CPI announce alliance for LS polls

Left parties in Tamil Nadu have remained with the ruling AIADMK in Tamil Nadu since the 2011 Assembly polls, while Manidhaneya Makkal Katchi and Puthiya Thamizhagam have left the alliance and joined hands with the DMK.

Today's announcement emerges as a possible third front in Tamil Nadu politics for the coming Lok Sabha elections, with BJP already announcing its alliance with MDMK, while the Congress is attempting to have partners.

BJP is also trying to rope in PMK and actor-politician Vijayakant's DMDK.

DMK, which faced the 2009 Lok Sabha polls with the Congress, left the alliance over the Sri Lankan Tamils issue early last year and is presently attempting to rope in DMDK.

DMDK, which was a major ally of AIADMK in 2011 Assembly polls, parted ways with the ruling government and is likely to announce its decision on alliance at its conference near Villupuram later today.

Vidithalai Chiruthaigal Katchi quit UPA along with DMK over the Sri Lankan Tamils issue and has remained with that party.