'Differences Won't Affect Third Front'

CPM general secretary Praksh Karat on Thursday clarified that differences over seat sharing with the AIADMK in Tamil Nadu will not affect the stability of the Third Front.

CPM general secretary Praksh Karat on Thursday clarified that differences over seat sharing with the AIADMK in Tamil Nadu will not affect the stability of the Third Front.

Karat explained that CPM has been contesting on three seats in the State. But AIADMK had offered only one seat which was not acceptable to the party.  He, however, added that it was a local issue and would not in any way affect the Third Front at the national level.

State secretaries of the CPM and CPI, G Ramakrishnan and D Pandian, said they had held six rounds of talks with the AIADMK but could not arrive at an agreement. Besides, the party had already announced candidates for all 40 seats in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry and even started campaigning.

Responding to a querry on other alliances, Ramakrishnan and Pandian said, “We have just decided to face the elections together. Other issues will be discussed in due course.”

DMK chief M Karunanidhi, meanwhile, expressed his readiness to accomodate the sulking Left. “I don’t think I should not invite them... if they come, we will accommodate them,” he said.  Reacting to reports that a VCK cadre attempted self-immolation following the allocation of a lone seat to that party, the DMK chief said: “It is all due to over enthusiasm.”

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