Samajwadi Party announces 9-party front in TN

Chennai, Apr 7 (UNI) The Tamil Nadu unit of the Samajwadi Party (SP) today announced the formation of a nine-party 'Social Justice Front' to fight the May eight Assembly elections in the state.

Talking to reporters here, party state President M Gopalakrishnan said the SP would contest 50 seats and the front 177 seats.

Some other parties had also evinced interest in joining the front and the party would finalise the number of constituents by April 10.

As per the agreement reached, the party allotted 40 seats to the Rashtriya Lokdal, 25 seats each to the Peasants and Workers party and Republican Party of India, 20 seats to the Makkal Katchi, nine seats to the Marumalarchi Makkal Tamil Desam, five seats to the Makkal Congress (Vazhapadi), two seats to the Vanjikkapatta Samoogangalin Kootamaippu and one seat to the Christian Democratic Front.

Except Rashtriya Lokdal, which would contest on a 'handpump' symbol, all other parties would contest on the SP's 'bicycle' symbol, which became well known in the state, when held by the now defunct Tamil Maanila Congress.

More UNI WS AA RR RN1912