Hyderabad: The Communist Party of India - Marxist (CPM) today (Jan 31, 2004) categorically came out in support of a Congress-led coalition Government at the Centre but parried questions on whether it was in favour of Sonia Gandhi leading such a coalition.

"We will support a Congress-led coalition Government...On the issue of Prime Ministership, we are not in the business of projecting anybody. It will be decided after the elections depending on the nature of verdict," CPM general secretary Harkishen Singh Surjeet and Politburo member Prakash Karat told reporters at the end of the four-day meeting of the party's Politburo and Central Committee.

Asked whether the party was prepared to shed its earlier inhibitions and join future coalition Government, they said, "We are neither ruling in nor ruling out this. All these aspects including the shape of the future Government will be debated after the elections."

Stating that the "basic aim" of the party was to see that a "secular Government" is formed, they said they have only "one target in this elections and that is BJP".

"It is certain that a secular Government will be in place after the elections and Congress will have a role in it. None of the BJP's allies will be part of the next Government," Karat said.