Release of DMK candidates' list put off by a day

Chennai, Mar 16: The much-awaited candidates' list of the ruling DMK, scheduled to be released today, has been postponed by a day in the wake of continuing talks with some parties over identification of seats for the Apr 13 Assembly polls.

"Since talks with some parties are yet to be completed, the candidates' list will be released on Mar 17 (Thursday)," the DMK said in its party's mouthpiece, Murasoli.

While DMK successfully managed to clinch its poll pact with key ally Congress and others-- PMK, VCK and IUML, on Tuesday, it could still not finalise its deal with parties. Including Kongunadu Munnetra Kazhagam, allotted seven seats, and Moovendar Munnetra Kazhagam.

After much haggling, DMK managed to clinch its deal with Congress, allotting 63 seats overall and five in Chennai, a metro considered the stronghold of the Dravidian party.

The party in fact had to part with Harbour seat in Chennai, presently represented by DMK general secretary K Anbazhagan, giving it away to IUML.

Trouble was brewing in IUML with a section of leaders and party workers protesting against the downsizing of their seats from three to two.

The DMK, besides parting with one from its own quota, had also taken away one seat each from PMK and IUML to accommodate Congress' demand for 63 seats, an issue that resulted in a stalemate in the alliance as the national party stood firm on its demand for the number of seats.

PTI