BJP no alternative to Congress: Prakash Karat

Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) general secretary Prakash Karat Sunday said BJP is not an alternative to Congress and the Left parties will work for a non-Congress and non-BJP alliance.

"BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) is not an alternative to Congress. It is a myth that the saffron party is a viable alternative," Prakash Karat told mediapersons here.

Karat, who was here to attend a convention of the Left parties, said there is need for a non-Congress and non-BJP alliance ahead of the next general elections (in 2014).

"We have decided to form a non-Congress and non-BJP alliance to provide a real alternative to people who are disillusioned with both the parties," he said.

Karat's views were supported by Gurudas Dasgupta of the Communist Party of India. "There is no question of supporting the Congress as Left parties will unite like-minded parties, including regional parties," Dasgupta said.