EC directive puts some DMK allies in a spot

By Our Special Correspondent

CHENNAI, APRIL 5. Fresh legal hurdles have cropped up for allies in the DMK-led front, who planned to contest the elections on the DMK's symbol, in view of the Election Commission's new directive that candidates seeking to contest on symbols of other recognised parties should be members of those parties.

Among the DMK's allies, the MGR-Kazhagam led by Mr. Rm. Veerappan, Tamizhaga Muslim Iykkiya Jamaat led by former TMC functionary, Mr. J.M. Haroon, Dalit Panthers of India (DPI)

headed by Mr. R. Thirumavalavan and Farmers and Toilers party besides three other caste-based outfits, were slated to contest on the `Rising Sun' symbol.

Asked about Mr. Veerappan indicating earlier in the day that his party might have to choose a free symbol, following the EC's reported directive, the DMK president and Chief Minister, Mr. M. Karunanidhi, agreed that there was a difficulty following the directive.

Speaking to reporters here tonight at the party headquarters, Mr. Karunanidhi said this position will not only apply to the MGR- Kazhagam, but to the other similar allies as well in the front.

Asked specifically whether DMK will bring up this issue at the meeting of political parties' representatives convened by the Chief Electoral Officer in Chennai on April 9, Mr. Karunanidhi said, ``you will come to know what we say at that meeting.''

To a query on whether the New Justice Party (NJP) will join the DMK-led front, he said, ``I do not know.'' However, the DMK will contest 174 seats in the elections, after having given three seats to the MGR-ADMK led by Mr. S. Thirunavukkarasu, he added.

About the MDMK leader, Mr.Vaiko, having again joined issue with him over the seats-allocation controversy, Mr. Karunanidhi said his latest views on the issue were ``mild''. A ``doubt still lurked'' on the revival of ties or not, but the tone and tenor of Mr.Vaiko's statement this evening gave the impression that the ties (between the two parties) will not be revived, he added.

On the DPI's Pondicherry unit seeking more than the two seats allotted to it there, Mr. Karunanidhi said the issue was being discussed with them.

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Section  : Southern States
Previous : PMK's conditional offer in Pondy
Next     : DMK cadres sore over seat allotment in Vellore
           district