DPI to contest 10 seats in Pondy, support AIADMK in the rest

Chennai, Mar 2 (UNI) The Dalit Panthers of India (DPI), which struck an alliance with the All India Anna DMK (AIADMK) in Tamil Nadu for the May eight Assembly elections, today announced it will contest ten of the 30 Assembly seats on its own in Pondicherry and will support the AIADMK in the remaining constituencies.

DPI General Secretary Thol Thirumavalavan, talking to newspersons here, said the party would contest five seats in reserved constituencies and another fine in general constituencies in the union territory.

He said the party had taken the stand in deference to the wishes expressed by the Pondicherry unit. However, the party was open to talks with the AIADMK on the issue, if the latter wanted.

Mr Thirumavalavan said the nine constituencies alloted to it by the AIADMK in Tamil Nadu would be identified in two or three days.

He was confident the AIADMK would identify ''winnable seats'' for the party.

Though partymen have presented applications on behalf of him to contest from 22 constituencies, including Egmore and Chepauk in the city, he would probably seek election from Cuddalore district, he said. The party has so far received 179 applications from aspirants, he added.

Replying in the negative when asked whether he had received any reponse from Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) founder leader S Ramadoss for his invitation to join the AIADMK fold, Mr Thirumavalavan renewed his appeal to both Dr Ramadoss and MDMK General Secretary Vaiko to quit the DMK-led DPA and come to the AIADMK alliance.

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