Parties scrambling for support

By Our Tamil Nadu Bureau

CHENNAI, OCT. 29. With only a day left for the crucial elections to hundreds of posts of chairpersons, vice-chairpersons and Deputy Mayor in local bodies, political parties and aspirants are now engaged in a no-holds barred attempt to drum up support from any quarter.

Amidst reports, charges and counter-charges of kidnapping and holding of independents and rebels `hostage', the parties are still trying to negotiate with unattached individuals who have been elected.

In the past few days, a large number of independents have either joined the main parties or pledged support to them, on ``a broad agreement on issues''. Many rebels and dissidents have been received with open arms and readmitted to the partyfold because their votes will now be critical.

The role of the alternative front and political parties which did not form part of any electoral combine also becomes significant. The Congress and its allies have not taken any formal decision and sources say it could be left to the discretion of local leaders - at the district and panchayat levels.

The MDMK has made a formal announcement that its members will remain ``neutral'' - which means they may abstain from voting. The only benefit for the contestants is that the decision could bring down the effective strength for winning a majority of the votes polled.

But political circles are expecting some last-minute surprises in this numbers game. Speculation is rife that TMC members may prefer not to vote for the AIADMK nominees, since a clear-cut understanding on sharing of the indirectly-elected posts has been elusive. But party sources stoutly deny the rumours and assert that the TMC was still hopeful of reaching an ``amicable settlement'' with its ally.

The CPI(M), which contested independently of the AIADMK-led front, is in no hurry to get back into the alliance. There have been no talks with the AIADMK on arriving at an arrangement for the indirect elections of chairpersons of district panchayat councils and panchayat unions.

However, in continuation of its earlier policy to support secular parties in places where it is not in the fray, the CPI(M) would back the CPI and the AIADMK and, depending on the local situation, other secular parties.

As the CPI(M) stands no chance of winning chairmanship of any district panchayat council, the party would not field candidates. However, it is planning to fight for chairmanship in five panchayat unions.

Also, for vice-chairman, the CPI(M) might put up candidates in 20 places.

Apparently, the CPI(M) is still sore with the AIADMK over the manner it was treated during the seat negotiations. The relations between the parties only worsened after the violence indulged in by the AIADMK during polling and counting.

According to party sources, the AIADMK alienated the smaller partners of the secular front by talking tough during seat negotiations.

A feature of this phase of the civic polls is that the problem does not end with the election of the Deputy Mayor, chairperson or vice-chairperson of the Councils. Holders of these offices can be defeated later through a no-confidence motion or vote.

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Section  : Southern States
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