AIADMK-CPI(M) stalemate over seat-sharing continues

The Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK), an ally of the ruling AIADMK, on Friday released its list of candidates for the post of Mayor in nine municipal corporations and municipalities in six districts. Meanwhile, the stalemate over seat-sharing with the Left parties continued, leaving very little chance for the AIADMK alliance to survive intact.

The Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) also announced candidates for six corporations, 24 municipalities and 60 town panchayats.

It has fielded former Union Minister of State for Railways A.K. Moorthy as mayoral candidate in Chennai.

As no agreement was reached over seat-sharing, the Left parties submitted a fresh list to the AIADMK on Thursday, making it clear that they could not come down any further from their demand.

“When we met the AIADMK leaders, we told them that we cannot compromise beyond a point. We have given a new list and will be ready to talk if the AIADMK leadership agree to our proposals,” CPI(M) whip K. Balakrishnan told The Hindu.

The state secretariat of the CPI(M) would meet on Saturday to decide its future course of action.

As regards the CPI, the party also submitted a new list to the AIADMK leadership, but made it clear that it would not sacrifice any of its sitting seats. “Besides the sitting local bodies represented by us, we have given a list of new seats. But we will not compromise on the sitting seats,” a senior leader who participated in the talks said.

The DMDK candidates for the municipal corporations are: K. Velumurugan-Chennai, K. Kaviarasu-Maduai, R. Pandian-Coimbatore, A.R. Elangovan-Selam, A. Seethalakshmi- Tirunelveli, S. Sathyavani Sureshbabu-Vellore, N.S. Sivakumar-Erode, N. Dinesh Kumar-Tirupur and S. Rajeshwari-Tuticorin.