DMK to contest 50 per cent of seats in local body polls

Chennai, Sep 26 (UNI) The ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), heading the Democratic Progressive Alliance (DPA) in Tamil Nadu, has retained about 50 per cent of the seats and would contest four of the six Corporations in the elections to local bodies on October 13 and 15.

The DMK has allotted the remaining seats to its allies, DMK President and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi announced after reaching the seat sharing agreements with the Congress, Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK), CPI(M) and CPI.

As per the agreement reached, the DMK would contest in 52 of 102 first grade Municipalities, leaving 25 to the Congress, 12 to PMK, Eight to CPI(M) and Five to CPI.

Of the total of 50 first grade Municipalities, the DMK would seek election from 23, the Congress-13, PMK-6, CPI(M) and CPI four each, he said.

He said, of the 561 Town panchayats, the DMK would contest from 284, the Congress-134, PMK-70, CPI(M)-45 and CPI-28. Of the 385 Panchayat Unions, the DMK would contest from 185, the Congress-95, PMK-60, CPI(M)-25 and CPI 20.

Mr Karunanidhi said, there were 29 District Panchayats, of which, the DMK would seek election from 12, Congress-7, PMK-5, CPI(M)-3 and CPI-2. Out of the six Corporations, the DMK would contest from four and the Congress two, he said.

The DMK from its quota would allot seats to other allies, including Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), All India Forward Bloc (Vallarasu faction), MGR Kazhagam, Uzhavar Uzhaipalar Katchi and 'Puratchi Bharatham', he said.

Replying to a question, Mr Karunanidhi said the district units of the DMK and its allies would discuss and reach agreements on the number of wards to be contested by each party. He said, the party was holding talks with its allies on the number of wards to be contested by the party for the Chennai Corporation. On reports that the PMK has decided to go it alone in Tiruchirapalli district, Mr Karunanidhi said he had seen reports to this effect in a section of the media, but he had no information.

Asked what would be the main issue in the local body elections, Mr Karunanidhi said ''victory and defeat'', amidst laughter.

When asked about the campaign strategy, he said ''we will ask the people, who have witnessed the implementation of the poll promises by the DMK government to vote for the front with more confidence.'' He pitied the opposition AIADMK led front for having decided to take up the ''chikungunya issue'' in the elections. ''Why should they take up the disease,'' he said.

Mr Karunanidhi said his campaign programme was yet to be finalised and the front was yet to discuss about inviting national leaders like Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Congress leader Sonia Gandhi for the campaign.

Asked whether youth would be given chances to seek election in the local bodies, the DMK President said party Deputy General Secretary M K Stalin had already said youth would be given a chance.

It is the view of the party high command, he added.

He said, he had no regrets for dropping the Satellite town project. Those who were let down should regret, he said adding that the government would look for an alternative site to set up the town.

Refusing to be drawn into the controversy sorrounding JIPMER, he said ''it is a matter of Puduvai (Puducherry).''

UNI