CPI party on Friday declared that it was not going to contest in the upcoming by-polls to 18 assembly constituencies in the state. Addressing the media, the state secretary Narayana has said that the party supports TRS in Parakala constituency and TDP in 17 other constituencies.

Further, Naryana said the CPI was adhering to the ethics since the party allied with TRS and TDP (grand alliance) in 2009 elections. This statement came as a shock to CPM as the party state secretary B V Raghavulu said the party was not going to ally with TDP as it believes that there would be no benefit to CPM. Raghavulu has also said that CPM has no hatred towards TDP. He, nevertheless, showed interest to team up with Lok Satta party.

It may be recalled that CPI has been supporting TDP and TRS ever since it teamed up with these parties and went ahead in 2009 general elections. Also, the party has been fighting corruption and Narayana has earlier demanded the government to look into alleged illegal assets by Kadapa MP Y S Jaganmohan Reddy.  (Phani)