Contesting some seats alone will not affect DPA: CPI (M)

Chennai, Oct 5 (UNI) Tamil Nadu state unit CPI (M) Secretary N Varadarajan today said the prospects of the parties of the Democratic Progressive Alliance (DPA) would not be affected by CPI(M) contesting some seats on its own in the two-phased local bodies election in the state on October 13 and 15.

Talking to newsmen here after releasing the party's manifesto for the local bodies election, he said though the CPI(M) had seat sharing agreement with the DMK and other partners of DPA in 90 per cent of the seats, it could not reach an agreement in ten per cent of the seats.

He categorically declared that it would not affect the chances of the DPA. The party would strictly adhere to the agreement and has also not changed its opposition to AIADMK.

He wanted the parties like AIADMK and 'Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazahgam' (DMDK) to make themselves clear on various issues, including waste land distribution scheme.

To a question, he said the party would begin campaigning for the local bodies election on the plank of more financial allocation to the local bodies from the state financial resources and more powers for them.

He said the party in its campaign would put forth the achievements of the DMK Government, but at the same time it did not appreciate the ''harsh language'' used by the AIADMK.

He also pointed out that in West Bengal, 50 per cent of planned expenditure was rooted through local bodies and in Kerala it was 30 per cent.

He said the Tamil Nadu government must follow suit as it was essential to carry out development and welfare activities at local body levels.

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