AIFB to contest alone in ensuing TN assembly poll

Tirunelveli, Mar 13 (UNI) The All-India Forward Bloc(AIFB) would contest on its own in the May 8 elections to the Tamil Nadu Assembly, according to Party's National General Secretary Debabrata Biswas.

Addressing the party's Tamil Nadu Conference here last night, he said the party was prepared to face the elections on its own, and its state president and actor M Karthik, would lead the party's campaign throughout the state.

Mr Biswas called upon the cadres to cooperate and start working with Mr Karthik to ensure the success of the party.

The actor-turned politician, Mr Karthik said the party had two options, either to forge an alliance, or to go alone in the ensuing assembly poll.

When Mr Karthik asked the gathering to express their views on this issue, the cadres shouted, ''Go with Amma'' (Chief Minister and AIADMK superemo J Jayalalithaa). After observing the overwhelming response from the cadres, Mr Karthik said ''I too have the same desire, but the cadres should support the decision taken in the interest of the party in Tamil Nadu.'' Tension prevailed for a while, following the departure of the leaders from the venue of the conference, as a section of the crowd got frenzied.

Mild force was used to disperse the unruly mob, which threw stones and chairs at the police, in which a constable was injured, police sources said.

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