PT gets 10 seats

By Our Special Correspondent

CHENNAI, MARCH 19. The suspense over the Puthiya Tamizhagam (PT) electorally locking itself into the DMK-led NDA for the Assembly polls finally ended tonight, with the DMK clinching a deal with PT, giving the latter 10 seats.

``I am fully satisfied and happy'', said the PT leader, Dr. K. Krishnasamy, after inking the accord with the DMK president and Chief Minister, Mr. M. Karunanidhi at the DMK headquarters here. The DMK treasurer, Mr. Arcot N. Veeraswami, announced the agreement.

Dr. Krishnasamy, who was scheduled to meet Mr. Karunanidhi earlier in the day after he flew down from Coimbatore, delayed his meeting. It gave rise to sudden and adverse expectations that the PT leader even ``contemplated'' quitting the NDA alliance, if DMK did not improve its earlier ``eight seats offer''.

Even as Dr. Krishnaswami later sought to dispel this, saying the delay was due to a ``communication gap'', he being led into Mr.Karunanidhi's room by the State Law Minister, Mr. Aladi Aruna, indicated that some behind-the-scene pacifying of the Dalit leader had taken place.

While the ruling DMK has now set a benchmark of 155 seats to contest on its own, after having lent its symbol to contestants in 13 seats apportioned to other parties so far, Dr. Krishnasamy said PT will contest on its own symbol.

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Section  : Southern States
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