New Delhi, Dec 30 : Having shelved its plans to have a tie-up with the Asom Gana Parishad (AFP) after it made clear its intention to go with the BJP, the Assam United Democratic Front (AUDF) which has a strong presence among Muslims in the state is now knocking the doors of the Left for a possible electoral alliance.

AUDF president Badruddin Ajmal is in the Capital and he is planning to meet CPI(M) general secretary Prakash Karat to discuss the possibilities of an alliance. The idea is to cobble up a third front in Assam against the Congress and the AGP-BJP combine, sources said.

Scouting for prospective allies, Ajmal has already met SP general secretary Amar Singh and is learnt to have clinched a deal with him for an electoral adjustment.

The AUDF's overture to the Left comes at a time when the red brigade is exploring all options to stitch up a third alternative. The Left has already roped in the TDP in Andhra Pradesh, the AIADMK in Tamil Nadu and the JD(S) in Karnataka and is hoping to bring in the BSP in Uttar Pradesh. Talking to The Indian Express, Ajmal said the AUDF has decided to field its candidates in nine Lok Sabha seats and for the rest five seats it is planning to hold discussions with the NCP, the CPI(M), the CPI and other secular parties.