CPI(M) leader Prakash Karat today said NCP chief Sharad Pawar would have the option to join the Third Front after the elections as the "logic of the situation" would force him to do this.
"Right now we are not having any understanding with him regarding the Third Front...But I think the logic of the situation would lead him to also consider this option," the CPI(M) General Secretary said.
"I don't know what he will decide. I think he will have the option to consider (joining third front)..He will consider various options after the elections," Karat told NDTV in an interview. Asked whether Pawar could be accepted as the Prime Ministerial candidate of the Third Front, he said the issue would be decided only after the elections, but added that the leader of the government would not only have to agree to a Common Minimum Programme of the new front but the person should also be acceptable to all its constituents.
His comments came ahead of a rally to be addressed by both Pawar and Congress President Sonia Gandhi in Maharashtra today.
Karat made it clear that the Left does not have any "pre-conceived" notion about who should be the Prime Minister. "We are not having any preferred choice before the elections for Prime Ministership. We are not precluding anybody from being made the Prime Minister."
He said the issue would depend on "circumstances and the candidate's acceptance among all the partners." The CPI(M) leader said if someone has to lead the government "that party or the leader has to also be very much committed to the policy platform that we work out. So I think, based on that, we will see."
Further asked whether the CPI(M) would be open to extend support to Pawar, Karat said "no, no. I am saying if the NCP is part of the non-Congress, non-BJP combination, if we successfully work out the Common Minimum Programme and if there is a wider acceptance for any candidate, (then) that candidate will become the choice."
Replying to questions on whether the non-Congress, non-BJP alternative would be viable and stable, he said "we will be able to build a durable alliance because we are more of a federal type alliance." Pawar had on Wednesday shared platform with Left and BJD leaders in Bhubaneshwar leading to speculation that NCP was planning to do business with the Third Front.