Indian Election 2009

Three prominent non-Congress leaders in the UPA, including Sharad Pawar and Lalu Prasad, today sought to reach out to Left parties describing them as "our friends" whose "blessings" could be required in the post-poll scenario.
At the same time, NCP chief Pawar and LJP supremo Ram Vilas Paswan differed on the issue of UPA's PM candidate with the former saying that a decision will be taken later while the latter rooting for Manmohan Singh.

"I honestly feel that this time we require the blessings and support of the Left parties. That is why from the first day, I am consistently saying to all my colleagues in the UPA that let us keep good rapport with the Left," Pawar said.

Striking a similar note, RJD chief Prasad said doors were "still open" for a post-poll alliance with the Left in the event of the UPA not being in a position to form a government."We had difference with the Left only over the civilian nuclear deal and nothing else. We have been friends with CPI(M) for a long time," Prasad told reporters in Patna.

Paswan, who is contesting the elections along with RJD, sang the same tune asserting that the UPA was "not inimical" to the Left as they wanted them to be with secular forces.

However, CPI(M) General Secretary Prakash Karat sought to pour cold water on Congress plans to seek the Left support after the elections making it clear that "no government is possible with Congress".