Tamil Nadu will see five-cornered contest in the lok Sabha elections from the State scheduled for April 24. Friday saw the CPI(M) and the CPI releasing the names of the constituencies from where candidates fielded by the parties would seek election.
The CPI(M) and the CPI have decided to contest nine seats each in the lok Sabha election from Tamil Nadu. leaders of both the parties met at Chennai and released the constituencies from where the parties would contest. “The names of candidates would be released on March 16 and 17,” G Ramakrishnan, State secretary,” CPI(M) said. With the decision of the lefts to contest the election on their own, Tamil Nadu will see five-cornered contests in the election.
The DMK-led Democratic Progressive Allaince, the AIADMK, the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance and the Congress (which has been shunned by all political outfits in the State) are the other major players in the election to the lok Sabha. Ramakrishnan told The Pioneer that the left parties would support their candidates in all 18 constituencies.
“We have decided not to support the candidates fielded by the AIADMK, the DMK front, the BJP front and the Congress. If any other political parties or groupings would like to seek our support for contesting from the remaining 21 constituencies, they can approach us. We will jointly take a decision whether to support such candidates,” said Ramakrishnan.
The CPI(M) and the CPI had forged an alliance with the AIADMK. But they called off the alliance following the AIADMK’s refusal to part with more than one seat each to these parties. The Congress which is going alone is yet to declare the names of candidates as many senior leaders have shied away from the electoral battle. “The names of the Congress candidates would be announced before Tuesday,” said Vijaya Dharini, party MlA and an aspirant for the Kanyakumari seat.