Cong inks pact with DMK, to contest 48 seats

Chennai, Mar 9 (UNI) The DMK today finalised the seat-sharing agreement with the Congress, which will contest 48 seats in the May eight polls to the Tamil Nadu Assembly.

The agreement was signed between DMK President M Karunanidhi, whose party is heading the DPA in the state and TNCC President M Krishnasamy at the DMK Headquarters 'Anna Arivalayam' here.

The pact was finalised after a Congress delegation led by Mr Krishnasamy and Congress Legislature Party Leader S R Balasubramoniyam met Mr Karunanidhi this morning.

The Congress is the second party in the DPA to finalise the seat sharing agreement with the DMK after the CPI which will contest ten seats under the alliance.

Meanwhile, the PMK, a key constituent of the DPA, today asserted talks were proceeding in a cordial manner and the seat sharing agreement will be signed either today or tomorrow.

Dismissing reports of any ''hitch'' in the talks, PMK Founder Leaer S Ramadoss said discussions were in final stages and an official announcement will be made either today or tomorrow.

Both the DMK and the PMK were happy over the progress of the discussions, Dr Ramadoss said and blamed the State intelligence for indulging in 'Goebble's work of spreading falsehood about the talks.' The PMK leader also appealed to the DPA allies and people not to believe in such rumours.

The MDMK led by Vaiko had already quit the alliance and inked poll pact with the ruling AIADMK in Tamil Nadu.

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