COIMBATORE: With the newly elected Coimbatore Corporation Council set to assume charge on Wednesday, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam is trying to woo Independents to its side to ensure smooth sailing for the next five years.

Of the 49 wards the Democratic Progressive Alliance has won, the DMK has 29, the Congress and the Communist Party of India (Marxist) eight each and the Communist Party of India four.

On the other side, the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam has won 10 wards and its ally Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, two.

The Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam and the Bharatiya Janata Party, who fought the local body elections alone, have won three and one wards.

Seven wards have gone to Independents and they are in great demand, according to sources in the DMK.

Three of them have demanded the post of chairman of the Council Standing Committees in return for the DMK support.

The sources, however, denied there was any effort to persuade the Independents to join the DMK. But, the party wants to have all Independents on its side to ensure that its position in the Council is safe even if an ally gets upset over denial of any key post, including the mayorship.

If the seven Independents pledge five-year support, the DMK is assured of 36 councillors on its side, exactly half of the total 72.

Indirect elections to the post of Mayor and the provision for no-confidence motion is said to be fuelling desperate efforts at securing maximum support.

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