CHENNAI: CPI's open plea for support to its nominee, C Mahendran, in the RK Nagar bypoll has failed to elicit any response from other opposition parties including the DMK which could consider only a specific request from the Left.
Unlike independent candidate 'Traffic' Ramasamy, who met leaders of all parties in person and sought their support, CPI state secretary R Mutharasan has made only a general request, seeking the support of other opposition parties. Neither the DMK nor the other opposition parties have reacted to the request as it was not specific to any party.
An evasive DMK treasurer MK Stalin told reporters in Tiruchy that party chief M Karunanidhi would take a decision on supporting the CPI. However, the DMK's parent body, the Dravidar Kazhagam, has extended support to the CPI and appealed to other parties to follow suit. But, Karunanidhi had so far skirted the subject even in his usual question and answers in party organ 'Murasoli'.
Though the CPI leadership is reluctant to meet opposition leaders, Mahendran, also state deputy secretary, has started his campaign in RK Nagar.
Leaders of both the Left parties have attended the seminar organised by Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi leader Thol Thirumavalavan and supported his demand for a coalition government in the State. Speaking at the seminar, CPM State secretary and politburo member G Ramakrishnan reiterated that his party would not have any electoral alliance with the DMK.
The CPM's stand on ties with the DMK, the support of the Left parties to Thirumavalavan's seminar on coalition government and the hesitation of CPI to seek DMK's support in person stand in the way of Karunanidhi backing of the Left candidate in RK Nagar.
Vijayakanth's DMDK is an ally of the BJP at present and the other parties like the MDMK, Congress and TMC too have ignored CPI's open request. Even Thol Thirumavalavan, who shares the dais with Left leaders frequently has not come out in support of the CPI so far.
