The Hindu : Front Page : AIADMK, CPI(M) reach seat-sharing agreement

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Tuesday, Apr 07, 2009
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AIADMK, CPI(M) reach seat-sharing agreement

B. Kolappan

CPI(M) settles for Coimbatore seat instead of Tirupur

CPI(M) will also field candidates from Kanyakumari and Madurai
AIADMK is continuing its talks with MDMK

Jayalalithaa.

CHENNAI: After days of hectic parleys, the State unit of the CPI(M) on Monday reached an agreement on seats sharing with the AIADMK.

Besides the two sitting constituencies, Kanyakumari (earlier Nagercoil) and Madurai, the CPI(M) will contest from the Coimbatore constituency.

Satisfied with allocation

“We bargained hard for the Tirupur constituency. But we are satisfied with the allocation, because all the three constituencies are steeped in democratic struggles and trade union movements,” CPI(M) State secretary N.Varadarajan told The Hindu.

The talks between the two parties were prolonged because the CPI(M) insisted on the Tirupur constituency. It, however, agreed to settle for Coimbatore. AIADMK representatives visited the CPI(M) office and obtained a signature from Mr. Varadarajan.

“The AIADMK is very strong in this region and there are Assembly constituencies in the Coimbatore Lok Sabha constituency, presently held by the party. Pongalur N. Palanisamy was denied a berth in the Tamil Nadu Cabinet in the beginning because the DMK fared very badly in the region in the 2006 Assembly elections. The two Left parties also enjoy popular support. So it is a strong constituency for us,” said Mr Varadarajan.

The CPI(M) leader rejected the view that it would be difficult for them to face a high profile candidate such as M.K.Azhagiri in the Madurai constituency.

“We have committed cadres who are ready to face any challenge. We will not be cowed down by money power and muscle power,” he said.

Asked when the candidates for the three constituencies would be announced, he said the State committee would send the names to the Polit Bureau on Tuesday.

Public meeting

N. Varadarajan.

Mr. Varadarajan said CPI(M) general secretary Prakash Karat and other national leaders would participate in the public meeting along with AIADMK general secretary Jayalalithaa on April 16 in Chennai.

He said the CPI(M) State unit would organise meetings of the party workers in the three constituencies between April 8 and 15 to discuss election works.

Meeting with workers

“After that we will have meetings with the workers of the alliance parties to ensure effective coordination,” he added.

Mr. Varadarajan said the party would involve various cultural troupes in a big way in the election campaign.

The AIADMK is continuing talks with the MDMK, the only ally with which it is yet to reach an understanding on sharing of seats.

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