Yechury made it clear that the party will have no alliance with the BJP, Congress and Odisha’s ruling BJD and maintain equidistance from them. The party will hold discussions with smaller regional parties and contest the elections, he said.

Speaking to mediapersons during a press meet at CPM state headquarters here today, Yechury said the party will contest the Lok Sabha elections from the Bhubaneswar constituency only. He said the announcement about fielding of candidates for the Assembly elections will be made later.

He further said the BJP and Congress governments favour capitalists and corporates, hence the development of general public cannot happen. “These parties are anti-poor and anti-farmer. There is need to overthrow them. We will create massive public awareness in this regard,” he said.

Speaking about the recent severe cyclonic storm Titli, which caused massive damage in Ganjam, Gajapati and Rayagada districts, Yechury said the Odisha government’s disaster management was not adequate.

He demanded that the state government should stay away from false propaganda and instead provide adequate relief to the affected people.