Lok Sabha Elections 2019: DMK Announces Alliance With CPM, Two Other Parties in Tamil Nadu
As per the seat-sharing agreement, the DMK has allotted two seats each to the CPM and Viduthalai Chiruthaikal Katchi (VCK).
Chennai, March 5: After sealing an alliance with the Congress, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) on Tuesday announced a tie-up with three parties, including the Communist Party of India (Marxist) or CPM for the Lok Sabha elections 2019 in Tamil Nadu. As per the seat-sharing agreement, the DMK has allotted two seats each to the CPM and Viduthalai Chiruthaikal Katchi (VCK). One seat has been given to the Indhiya Jananayaka Katchi (IJK).
Following the announcement of the alliance, CPM state secretary K Balakrishnan told reporters that his party had informed the DMK about the wish-list of constituencies and further talks would be held on the matter. "As far as Tamil Nadu is concerned, our party will wholeheartedly participate in the alliance led by DMK. Our intention is to defeat the BJP-AIADMK combine in Tamil Nadu and there is no difference of opinion in that (among constituents)," the Left leader said. BJP Government Approved Mekedatu Dam Project with Eye on Lok-Sabha Polls: AIADMK.
VCK leader Thol Thirumavalavan said the party would decide on whether to contest under its own symbol or under the DMK's rising sun symbol. The DMK, in its bid to lead a rainbow alliance, has already signed electoral arrangements with the Congress, Kongunadu Makkal Desiya Katchi (KMDK) and the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML). It is continuing talks with the Vaiko-led Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK).
According to the seat-sharing pact, the Congress would contest nine seats in Tamil Nadu and the lone Puducherry seat. The ruling AIADMK had swept the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, winning 37 of the state's 39 seats. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had won just one seat. The AIADMK has finalised an electoral alliance with the BJP and the Paattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry.
The AIADMK has allotted seven and five of the 39 seats respectively to the BJP and PMK. As per the seat-sharing pact, the PMK will also get a Rajya Sabha seat.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Mar 05, 2019 03:13 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).