The Hindu : Muslim League faction to unite caste-based outfits

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Jan 18, 2004

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Muslim League faction to unite caste-based outfits

By Our Special Correspondent

MADURAI, JAN.17. Even as major parties in the State have intensified their pre-poll exercise, a Muslim League faction — Tamil Maanila Muslim League (TMML) — today said it would take the initiative to unify all caste and community-based outfits to face the Lok Sabha elections jointly, steering clear of the DMK and AIADMK-led fronts.

The TMML president, S. Sheik Dawood, told reporters here that he would shortly begin talks with leaders of organisations, including Thol. Tirumavalavan of the Dalit Panthers of India, K. Krishnasamy of the Puthiya Tamizhagam, S. Kannappan of the Makkal Tamil Desam and A. C. Shanmugam of the New Justice Party to forge a `People's Front' comprising minorities, Dalits and backward classes.

The front would field its candidates in all 39 constituencies in the State and for the lone seat in Pondicherry.

The caste and community organisations had the backing of over 50 per cent of the electorate, Mr. Dawood said.

Their combine would be `number one' among the three fronts likely to emerge in the State.

Mr. Dawood ruled out a tie-up with the All-India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam. "Even if the AIADMK keeps itself away from the Bharatiya Janata Party, we will not strive for an electoral pact with it," he said replying to a query.

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