CPM-DMDK seal pact; CPI talks to AIADMK

CHENNAI: With just three days left to file nomination papers for the coming local body elections, the CPM has announced that it has formed an alliance with the DMDK.CPM State secretary G Ramakrishnan told reporters on Monday that efforts were underway to bring in parties jettisoned by the Dravidian majors into a ‘non-AIADMK, non-DMK, non-BJP, non-Congress’ alliance.The announcement came after hours of discussions between CPM and DMDK leaders and a sitting of the CPM’s State committee.The parleys carried on even as the CPM’s Leftist cousin CPI continued to engage with the AIADMK in the hope of working things out.Announcing the truck with the DMDK, Ramakrishnan ‘requested’ the CPI to join the CPM-DMDK combine.“The reason for the fallout was the style of functioning of the AIADMK. Even as we sat in discussion with their representatives they were releasing lists. And the lists kept coming. This is not consistent with coalition dharma. So we were forced to look elsewhere,” he said.All parties that fitted the ‘non-AIADMK, non-DMK, non-BJP, non-Congress’ tag would be approached to join the alliance, he added.He noted that the VCK, which had raised a similar call on Saturday, would also be approached. “A lot of lists have been released so far. After due discussions and certain give-and-take, revised lists will be announced.”The last date for filing nomination papers for the civic polls is September 29.The CPI, meanwhile, is understood to still be in favour of pursuing the alliance with the AIADMK. A source in the CPI told Express that they were talking to representatives from the AIADMK and also keeping in touch with the CPM.“We are pushing for what we feel is the best course of action, but are yet undecided. We will cast our die on Tuesday after an emergency meeting,” said the source.