CHENNAI, January 22: Cracks appeared in the DMK-led United Front combination in Tamil Nadu today with CPM deciding to part company following denial of "fair share" in the number of seats for the coming Lok Sabha elections.Irked by the offer of lone Coimbatore seat, party state unit secretary N Sankariah told newsmen that CP(M) would contest six seats on its own. It was impossible for the party to accept the offer, he said. Of the total 39 seats in the state, Dravida Munnetra Kazagam and Tamil Maanila Congress would contest the same number of 17 and 20 seats respectively contested by them in the last elections. One of the two seats held by CPI was offered to CPM.
The CPM, a new entrant to the front in Tamil Nadu, had contested the 1996 elections in alliance with MDMK which has now tied up the AIADMK. Another disappointed constituent of the front, Janata Dal which was offered no seat, will take its decision after consultations with party leadership.
Copyright © 1998 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
