DMK seeks PWP support for polls

Chennai, Apr 23 (UNI) The Opposition DMK today sought the support of the AIADMK's erstwhile ally 'Peasants and Workers Party' (PWP) which was contesting 11 seats on its own after being denied a berth in the AIADMK-led front asking it to withdraw from the contest.

In a statement here, Party Treasurer Arcot N Veerasamy appealed to PWP leader Ponkumar to withdraw his party candidates from the fray and pledge support to the DMK-led Democratic Progressive Alliance.

He said the DMK backed Mr Ponkumar when he fought for the rights of construction workers and agriculture labourers during the AIADMK regime between 1979 and 1984.

Mr Ponkumar, who remained an AIADMK supporter during the last two decades, had now announced his party would contest independently in some places after realising that he had been ''betrayed and humiliated'' by AIADMK Supremo J Jayalalithaa.

Stating only the DMK-led DPA could defeat the AIADMK at the hustings, Mr Veerasamy urged the PWP leader to reconsider his decision and withdraw the candidates from the electoral fray.

Assuring that the DMK Government would sort out all issues faced by construction workers and farm labourers, he said due respect would be given to Mr Ponkumar and his party colleagues.

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