ON February 3, CPI(M) general secretary Prakash Karat expressed hope that the electoral understanding between the AIADMK and the Left parties would achieve success in Tamilnadu in the coming general elections, and also contribute to providing an alternative to the country. Asked whether appeals had been made to other secular and democratic forces to be part of the alternative envisaged, he said discussions were on with various parties. “When we come to some understanding or agreement we will let you know. Wait for a few more days,” he said, addressing reporters along with the Tamilnadu chief minister, Jayalalithaa J, at her residence in Chennai on the day. Prakash Karat, along with CPI(M) state secretary G Ramakrishnan and Central Committee member T K Rangarajan, MP, met the chief minister of Tamilnadu to discuss about the political situation as well as about an electoral understanding. One of the questions was: How different would the proposed formation be from the earlier efforts? In reply, Karat said: “All I can say is that there are a large number of parties — non-Congress and non-BJP — which have substantial support and strength, and the same would be reflected in the coming elections.” While expressing confidence that the AIADMK-Left alliance would be very successful, Jayalalithaa said, "I am happy to announce that the AIADMK and the CPI(M) have decided to enter into an alliance to face the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections together. We expect that this alliance would be very successful." To a query as to who would be their prime ministerial candidate, Jayalalithaa said it was pointless for any party to enter into such discussions now as the question would arise only after the election results were out. Prakash Karat agreed with this view. Earlier, on the previous day, the AIADMK had announced its alliance with the CPI for the Lok Sabha polls, when leaders of CPI, viz A B Baradhan, S Sudhakar Reddy and D Pandian met her.