The Lok Satta says it will continue to work with like-minded parties on issues of corruption and other burning problems.
The Lok Satta Party, on Thursday, defended its decision to ally with Left parties.
According to Lok Satta Party Working President D V V S Varma, the party's decision to join hands with the Left was taken as there was no point in replacing one traditional party with another since "all of them are steeped in corruption" and "have lost their capacity to address people's problems".
He said that he hoped that the Lok Satta's decision would serve as "a ray of hope" to all people who are now in "deep despair" over the present state of politics.
"It is time that all people who aspire for the eradication of corruption and resolution of burning problems joined hands," he added.
Varma pointed out that Left parties were divided on the Telangana issue, while the Lok Satta has its own stand.
"It is also true there are differences of opinion between the Lok Satta and the Left parties on many other issues. Yet, the Lok Satta believes it can work together with Left parties on public issues, over which they share a common view," he said.
Instead of confining itself to adjustments during elections for seats and votes, the Lok Satta will continue to work with like-minded parties on ushering in corruption-free politics and resolving people's problems, Varma added.
Varma said that the Lok Satta Party has decided to support CPI(M) candidates in Tirupati and Anantapur, as the CPI(M) has decided to back the Lok Satta Party in Ongole by dropping plans to contest from the place in the 12 June by-elections to the state Assembly.
The decision was taken by the Lok Satta Party's State Working Committee here today, said Varma.
As a result of the electoral adjustments, the CPI(M) will support the Lok Satta Party in Ongole, Pattipadu, Rayadurgam and Yemmiganur Assembly constituencies, he said.
The Lok Satta Party, in turn, will support CPM candidates in Tirupati, Anantapur, Payakaraopet, Udayagiri and Polavaram Assembly constituencies, and in the Nellore Lok Satta constituency.
He said that the Lok Satta Party would consider contesting from Ramachandrapuram and Parakala, in the wake of its decision not to field candidates in Tirupati and Anantapur.
Varma appealed to the CPI to back Lok Satta candidates in the by-elections, adding that the Lok Satta would support the former's candidates. (INN)