BJP's 'unilateral' release of list causes embarrassment

By Our Special Correspondent

CHENNAI, MARCH 28. A ``communication gap'' caused a major embarrassment to the BJP, a key member of the NDA in Tamil Nadu, here last night, with the DMK president, Mr. M. Karunanidhi, disapproving of the State BJP leadership unilaterally releasing the list of 21 constituencies finalised between the two parties for the Assembly polls.

The BJP State president, Mr. Kirubanidhi, who, along with other senior functionaries, had an hour-long discussion with his DMK counterpart to firm up the constituencies list, announced to reporters at the DMK headquarters the names of constituencies in an apparent `faux pas', as Mr. Karunanidhi earlier said he would release the lists after constituency identification was completed for all the allies.

After the State BJP general secretary, Mr. L. Ganesan, said they were ``happy and satisfied'' with the 21 constituencies shared with the DMK, Mr. Kirubanidhi, in an apparent fit of overenthusiasm, read out their names from the ``agreement'' signed with the DMK president.

The 21 constituencies allotted to the BJP as per the seat-sharing arrangement are: Padmanabhapuram, Killiyur, Sattankulam, Srivilliputtur, Kumbum, Karaikudi, Mannargudi, Srirangam, Chengalpattu, Manamadurai, Pallipet, Thandarampattu, Hosur, Thali, Coimbatore East, Tiruppur, Udhagamandalam, Tiruvattar, Peranambut, Mayiladuthurai and Yercaud.

Shortly after the BJP leaders left, Mr. Karunanidhi, emerging out of his room, to a reporter's query, shot back, saying that as the leader of the DMK heading the NDA in the State, ``until I release the list of constituencies, it is not final.''

Only a few minutes earlier, Mr. Ganesan felt happy about the amicable manner in which the Assembly segments for the BJP were finalised after a preliminary discussion in the day by the party's election committee with the DMK.

He also said the BJP's campaign would be launched at Tiruchi on April 2 by NDA leaders including the Home Minister, Mr. L. K. Advani, Mr. George Fernandes and DMK leaders.

The BJP's candidates list would be sent to the Central leadership for approval by March 31, he said.

Mr. Ganesan also defended the DMK for its absence at the NDA's rally in New Delhi on Sunday to condemn the Opposition's bid to ``destabilise'' the Government over the Tehelka expose on defence deals.

Mr. Ganesan said though the DMK was invited, it could not come as its leaders were busy in Chennai, identifying the constituencies for its allies and sorting out other poll matters, while those DMK leaders in New Delhi had already left the capital before the rally.

``There is no doubt (about the DMK's intentions) as Mr. Karunanidhi, through a statement, was the first person to strongly support Mr. A. B. Vajpayee, after the Tehelka expose'', asserted Mr. Ganesan.

Later, when Mr. Karunanidhi himself was asked about his party's absence, the DMK leader said, ``we were busy with candidates' selection here.'' To another query, he said he was not aware of some dates suggested for the State polls.

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Section  : Southern States
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