Congress launches new front

By Radha Venkatesan

CHENNAI, SEPT. 28. In a sudden volte-face, the Dalit-based DPI quit the DMK-led front, even as the Congress launched an alternative front for the civic elections, bringing together other former allies of the DMK including the Congress Jananayaga Peravai led by Mr. P. Chidambaram.

Promising a ``new beginning and a new direction to Tamil Nadu politics'', the AICC secretary, Mr. Ramesh Chennithala, announced the new front which included the Puthiya Tamizhagam, the Makkal Tamil Desam (MTD) and the New Justice Party (NJP) - all constituents of the DMK-led alliance in the May Assembly elections.

The DPI leader, Mr. R. Tirumavalavan, who snapped electoral ties with the DMK as the party wanted to give an opportunity to all its functionaries to contest, is also being wooed by the Congress. Only a couple of days ago, had Mr. Tirumavalavan announced his decision to remain in the DMK-led front.

``We are talking to the DPI'', Mr. Chennithala said, addressing a joint news conference here with Mr. Chidambaram, the MTD leader, Mr. S. Kannappan, and Mr. A.C. Shanmugham of the New Justice Party.

Another former DMK ally, Thondar Congress leader, Mr. Kumari Anandan, merged his outfit with the Congress.

To a question, Mr. Chennithala said the Congress had not contacted the CPI(M), which has virtually decided to exit from the AIADMK-led alliance.

The Congress reached a seat-sharing arrangment with its new-found allies and details of the seats allotted to various parties would be announced tomorrow.

Mr. Chidambaram said his party joined the Congress-led front as an agreement on seat-sharing could not be reached with the DMK. ``The alternative front will reflect the aspirations of the people and its objectives and approach will be different from that of the DMK and the AIADMK'', he added.

However, Mr. Chidambaram said he had no intention of merging his recently-floated party with the Congress. Asked whether the new front would continue after the elections, Mr. Chidambaram said it would be as durable as was any other front.

Meanwhile, the DMK president, Mr. M. Karunanidhi, said the chances of the DMK-led combine would not be affected by the formation of the Congress-led front.

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