CPI protests over meagre allocation of seats

Chennai, Mar 10 (UNI) Even as the DMK, heading the Democratic Progressive Alliance (DPA) in Tamil Nadu, wrapped up its seat-sharing exercise today by allocating 105 seats to its allies, a new crisis has emerged with the Communist Party of India (CPI) protesting over ''meagre allocation'' of seats to it.

DMK President M Karunanidhi, who had already inked poll accords with the Congress, CPI, CPI(M) and the Indian Union Muslim League, today finalised an agreement with Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK), under which the latter would contest 31 seats.

With the allocation of 48 seats to the Congress, 31 to the PMK, 13 to the CPI(M), ten to the CPI and three to the IUML, the DMK is left with 129 seats to contest, the second lowest since 1967.

The party had contested 117 seats after allocating an equal number to the Congress in 1980 Assembly elections, during which it had to bite the dust.

Any party needs to secure 118 seats out of the total 234 to form a government on its own.

Being under pressure to satisfy the allies following the unceremonious exit of Marumalarchi DMK (MDMK) from the front, Mr Karunanidhi said his party had made sacrifice on the issue of seat sharing and expressed hope that it would be amply rewarded.

However, in a sudden development, the CPI has expressed dissatisfaction over seat sharing and urgently convened the party General Council to discuss the issue.

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