Amid reports of the Left taking tougher stand on the Indo-US nuclear deal, CPI-M general secretary Prakash Karat on Tuesday held an hour-long meeting with Telugu Desam Party chief Chandrababu Naidu [Images].

The meeting at CPI'(M) party headquarters comes three days ahead of its central committee meet, which is likely to finalise a political resolution to be passed at its Coimbatore conclave in March next year.

The party was taking a larger view of "probable partners" for forming an alternative at the Centre before finalising the political resolution, especially with regard to its course on coalitions, party sources said.

"It was a courtesy meet, not open to the media," Naidu told reporters after the meeting.

On being asked if the meeting had anything to do with future collaborations, he said, "Our stand is clear but things would be clearer with time."

NCP leader D P Tripathi also called on Karat later in the evening. Although, details of what transpired are not known, Tripathi had shared a platform with Communist leaders in a recent demonstration on farmer's issues here recently.

Sources said there was a possibility of Karat calling on Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK leader M Karunanidhi during his stay in the capital for the National Development Council meet.