The CPI(M) on Friday said it would like BJD chief Naveen Patnaik to play an important role in government formation at the Centre. "The non-Congress and non-BJP parties are well poised to form the government after the elections," Karat said, stating that an assessment after the fourth phase of polls indicated that no party was in a position to get absolute majority to form the government on its own at the Centre.

"We will like Naveen Patnaik, who will of course be here again as the Chief Minister, to be able to play an important role in our efforts at formation of a non-Congress and non-BJP government at the Centre," Karat told reporters after holding an hour-long discussion with the BJD supremo over lunch.

The CPI(M) leader said Congress-led UPA and BJP-led NDA would not be in a position to form a government on their own strengths, while non-Congress and non-BJP secular parties would be able to do so. His meeting with the BJD supremo came as Patnaik has remained silent on joining the Third Front.

Patnaik, who has kept his cards close to his chest and refrained from declaring his party's open support to the Third Front, said "Karat is in agreement with me that neither of our parties will support a Congress-led or BJP-led government at the Centre."

"Our several parties (which include the Third Front)", Patnaik said, "were in a good and healthy position to give an alternative at the Centre."