Two seats for CPI, hiccups in talks with Congress

CHENNAI: The DMK on Saturday wrapped up alliance talks with CPI, finalizing Nagapattinam and Tirupur where the party has a reasonably strong support base, sources said. While confirming that CPI's two constituencies had been identified, party state secretary R Mutharasan, however, declined to name them. "Stalin will announce the final list," he said.

The CPI's wish list had included Coimbatore, Nagapattinam, Tenkasi and Tirupur.


Meanwhile, the Congress team led by TNCC chief K S Alagiri held talks with the DMK seat-sharing committee to identify the nine Lok Sabha constituencies allotted to the party in Tamil Nadu . Thought the talks went on for nearly two hours, the teams failed to reach a consensus on five seats. They are likely to resume talks on Sunday or Monday and finalise the constituencies, said a senior leader, seeking anonymity.

After the Congress team left, the CPM and CPI delegations held talks with the DMK committee but only CPI finalised its two constituencies. Sources said the Congress wish-list included Kanyakumari , Sivaganga, Erode , Arani, Trichy or Ramanathapuram, Krishnagiri, Theni, Karur and Mayiladuthurai besides Puducherry. Salem is also said be on the Congress list.

While Mani Shankar Aiyar is said to be keen on contesting in Mayiladuthurai again, former TNCC chief S Thirunavukkarasar has sought Trichy or Ramanathapuram. Former TNCC chief E V K S Elangovan has sought Erode and ex-MLA A Chellakumar is trying for Krishnagiri. Mani Shankar Aiyar had won Mayiladuthurai twice, in 1999 and 2004. The DMK ally, IUML is keen on Ramanathapuram.

"We had good talks with the DMK committee. We have given our wish list to the DMK committee and also spoke about the problems Congress is facing," said Alagiri. "Once the DMK completes talks with other parties, the Congress constituencies too will be identified," said Alagiri.

Both the Communist parties have been eying Coimbatore with both CPI and CPM recently holding public meetings in the city that drew good response.

The CPM has sought Kanyakumari, Coimbatore and Madurai . "We have more or less finalised the constituencies. But, we need to get the nod from our party committee, only then we can sign the agreement," said a senior CPM leader.