Efforts on among political parties to form poll alliance

AGARTALA, February 15: Even as electioneering gained momentum with all the political parties fielding their heavyweight vote catchers in Kadamtala constituency which goes to the by-polls on February 19, last-ditch efforts are still on to come to an understanding among the Opposition parties. Although, former CPI(M) MLA Umesh Nath could make it to the Assembly in the last elections, his total votes in the kitty were much less than that of the total anti-Left votes. This time also there are as many as six candidates including two independents which means the anti-Left votes split in this by-election too, each going away biting off the Opposition votes. "We do not want to repeat the same experience in this election and as such are ready to come to an understanding with other parties. If all the Opposition votes go en masse, then the defeat of CPM candidateSubodh Nath is certain," said a Congress leader on condition of anonymity and added that Santosh Mohan Dev who would be visiting Kadamtala, would alsotry to convince the other party leaders. nstead of going directly to the BJP, the Congress leaders are also meeting the Trinamool Congress leaders to convince the BJP about the understanding. In fact many of the Trinamool Congress leaders are already extending unofficial support to the Congress in the wake of its alliance partner, BJP and Janata Dal(U), both joining the fray, shattering the very essence of the four-party alliance. But as far as other Opposition parties are concerned, indications are available that neither the BJP nor the Janata Dal(U) are ready to go for an understanding in favour of Congress candidate Jyotirmoy Nath.