MDMK could contest independently if they wish -- Karunanidhi

MDMK could contest independently if they wish -- Karunanidhi
Express News Service

Chennai, Mar 30 - The row between the ruling DMK, leader of the NDA in Tamil Nadu, and its foe-turned friend MDMK, over allotment of specificAssembly constituencies for polls further widened today with Chief Minister and DMK president M Karunanidhi asking the MDMK to contest independently if they wished. ``We don't stand in their way.''

Accusing the MDMK of `lying' on the issue, Karunanidhi, talking to mediapersons at Anna Arivalayam, said the DMK was not in a position to allot more than what had been allotted already. Out of the total quota of 21 for MDMK, the DMK allotted 18 from the list of 43 identified by that party. As the remaining three constituencies, from the list identified by MDMK, had been given to other allies, the DMK gave them some other three constituencies.

He expressed doubts whether the congenial atmosphere would prevail between the two parties even if they jointly fought polls as the MDMK cadres had pasted posters and issued statements that they (MDMK) could contest independently. There was no question of holding further talks with MDMK. He denied there was any confusion in the NDA and said ``our stand is clear on the issue.''

To a question, the CM said `democracy' did not mean losing everthing. ``We have to think about ourselves too.''

On the TRC's decision to quit NDA, Karunanidhi refused to go into the reason. He denied TRC chief Vazhapadi K Ramamurthy's charge that new comers had been given more seats in the NDA when compared to the existing ones. ``The seats have been shared based on parties' strength.''

Regarding Ramamurthy's charge that he (Karunanidhi) was giving more importance to caste-based parties, he pointed out that it was the former who conducted the Vanniar conference at Marina a few months ago.

To a question, Karunanidhi claimed that the MGR-ADMK was invited for talks following its plea to give atleast three seats instead of two originally allotted. It was for them to respond.

PONDICHERRY: On Pondicherry elections, Karunanidhi said talks were now in progress on the number of seats that the DMK would contest there. The interview for selecting party candidates in 16 constituencies had been completed today, he said.