The immediate fallout of the UPA-Left separation at the national level could be visible in the distant south as the CPM is said to be weighing the options of withdrawing its outside support to the M Karunanidhi-led Government in Tamil Nadu.

There could also be a political realignment of sorts in neighbouring Andhra Pradesh. While the Telugu Desam is keen to have an electoral understanding with the CPM and CPI, both the parties are keeping their cards close to their chest but at the same time do not rule out the option of doing business with Chiranjeevi. The cine star is planning to launch a political outfit soon.

The state leadership of the CPM in Tamil Nadu is learnt to be in favour of ending the present arrangement with the Karunanidhi Government as the DMK was on the other side of the nuclear divide but the central leadership has not yet taken a view on the matter, sources said.

State CPM leaders argue that after the divorce with the Congress and UPA at the Centre it will be difficult to explain to the rank and file the continuance of support to the Democratic Progressive Alliance Government given the fact that the Congress is its main constituent.

The picture has changed after the trust vote is the refrain among some of the state CPM leaders. The Left party has eight Assembly seats in Tamil Nadu and its pullout, if it happens, will not affect the stability of the DMK Government.

Sources in the party said general secretary Prakash Karat had indicated to Karunanidhi when they met in Chennai last month that the CPM-DMK relationship could come under strain in the event of Left withdrawal of support to the UPA and the Government going ahead with the deal.

... contd.