Just an understanding, says CPI leader Pandian

CHENNAI: After its persistent efforts at clinching a seat-sharing pact with the AIADMK for the coming local body elections failed, the CPI on Tuesday gave up and went the way of its Leftist cousin. After a day-long meeting of the CPI’s State committee, the party decided to join the CPI(M) in alliance with the DMDK, though the nuts and bolts are yet to be finalised.“This is not a new alliance,” declared CPI State secretary D Pandian. “This understanding is for the local body elections,” he added, stressing on the last part. He tiptoed around questions over whether the alliance with the AIADMK would continue at the State and national levels. He also said categorically that he was not leveling accusations of authoritarianism or high-handedness at the AIADMK.“We tried our best because we don’t want to be remembered as just giving up,” said Pandian. “Our first concern was to maintain the same alliance with which we fought the Assembly polls. Our second concern was to ensure the hitch-free continuation of our nationwide alliance with the CPI(M). Our third concern, after the first two failed, was to get the seats we deserved in alliance with the AIADMK. They did not bear fruit and we had no other option,” Pandian explained.The CPI has also released a list of seats as a wishlist for talks with the DMDK and CPI(M).