AGARTALA, Sep 27 (TIWN):CPI-M politbureau member and Chief Minister Manik Sarkar and his bitter political rival West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee will share same platform soon. This was made possible by senior Aam Aadmi party leader and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. Both will attend a seminar titled “ The straining of Centre-State relations and the need to strengthen cooperative federalism “convened by Kejriwal at Delhi on September 29. The meeting will also be attended by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. The first meeting of anti - BJP and anti-Congress ruled states according to political analyst is a first step towards an alliance. Earlier also several meeting of this kind was held to form an anti – BJP and anti – Congress alliance. Whereas, the September 29 meeting is of great significance due to sharing of platform two bitter political rivals Manik and Mamata . Ahead of the seminar, Kejirwal had one to one meeting with both chief ministers at Delhi. At the meeting it was decided to have an anti – BJP and anti – Congress alliance. Manik Sarkar during meeting with Kejriwal did not confirm of his presence in the meeting.Later a series of meeting was held with CPI-Mgeneral secretary Sitaram Yechury and Kejriwal. Then it was announced Manik Sarkar will attend the seminar.

The CPI-Mleader stressed the need for a discussion between the Centre and the states as per federal and constitutional procedure.

He said all chief ministers are concerned at the present state of affairs in Centre-State relations and added that cooperative federalism was the need of the hour. Kejriwal had met West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee  and invited the latter to attend the seminar on Centre-state relations and cooperative federalism.