Tamil Nadu traders assoc will contest assembly elections

Tiruchirapalli, Tamil Nadu, Mar 9 (UNI) Tamil Nadu Vanigar Sangangalin Peravai has decided to contest the ensuing assembly elections in the state.

Disclosing this to newspersons here tonight, after chairing the General Council meeting of the Peravai, President of the Peravai T Vellaiyan said it was decided to field candidates in all the 234 constituencies in the state.

He charged that none of the politcal front, either the DMK or AIADMK had listened to their grievances and so far these policital parties have not not responded even to a single demand.

The peravai was demanding among other things avoidance of Foreing Direct Investment (FDI) in retail trading, non-implementation of abolition of resale VAT tax, encouragment of swadeshi industries, which could buy in self reliance in economy, clamp ceiling for advertisements by foreign producers, ban on Pepsi and Coke etc.

To a query, Mr Vellaiyan said the Peravai was ready to withdraw its candidates, if any political front assured them in writing it will help in redressal of their grievances. However, he clarified that the peravai will not not participate in the alliance, except to support them.

He said the peravai has 290 associations with them and have a vote bank of 65 lakh voters.

He said the 23rd annual conference of the Peravai will take place on May fifth-- the traders day at Tirunelveli and for enabling the traders to take part in the conference, all the shops in the state will remain closed on that day.

UNI GSM SM PA RK2320