The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : "DMK's violation of alliance dharma" shocks Left, PMK

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Oct 29, 2006
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

"DMK's violation of alliance dharma" shocks Left, PMK

S.Dorairaj

These parties bore the brunt of cross-voting

CHENNAI: Leaders of the Pattali Makkal Katchi, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and the Communist Party of India, all constituents of the Democratic Progressive Alliance (DPA), have expressed shock at the "violation of alliance dharma" by the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam at the district and block levels.

The three parties bore the brunt of the cross-voting, with DMK members and Congressmen entering the fray in the election for the posts of chairpersons at many places not earmarked for them.

PMK founder S. Ramadoss said the party's victory in 40 places was affected by persons belonging to the DMK. "How come the ruling party men suddenly entered the fray?" he asked. It was shocking that these candidates were backed by DMK functionaries, he said.

This could not have happened without the knowledge of the Ministers and the ruling party's district secretaries, he said. Only a couple of days ago did DMK president M. Karunanidhi issue a statement warning against violation of party discipline. Mr. Karunanidhi had also made it clear that the happiness gained by such persons would be temporary, as they would have to lose the electoral gains prematurely, Dr. Ramadoss said. Questions such as when such an eventuality would come had been raised. "We will wait and see how the DMK leadership answers these questions," he said.

In the Tirunelveli district panchayat, the CPI candidate was humiliated, as there was none to propose or second the candidature, a party functionary said. In the Muthupet panchayat union, the election was countermanded after charges that some councillors were abducted by local DMK functionaries, he said.

"Strange combination"

CPI (M) State secretary N. Varadarajan said though the DMK's State leadership took sincere steps to end such violations, in Kanyakumari district, a "strange combination" of the Bharatiya Janata Party, the Congress and the DMK worked to defeat the DPA's official nominees. In some other areas, DMK men worked for the success of All-India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam candidates.

These developments only highlighted the need for effective monitoring of the functioning of the local bodies to ensure proper use of funds earmarked to them. Steps were needed to help the civic bodies focus on the welfare of the people, he said.

Ministers blamed

CPI State secretary D. Pandian said the spirit of unity among the DPA constituents at the State level had not percolated to the districts. "... the rebel activities were aided by two DMK Ministers in Sivaganga and Ramanathapuram districts," he said.

The confusion in the DPA, in the long run, would harm its unity, Mr. Pandian said. Though cracks had appeared in the districts, the saving grace was the efforts made by the DMK's State leadership to rectify the damage.

Meeting sought

He urged the DMK to immediately call a meeting of the DPA to discuss issues relating to the local body elections and other problems that had arisen during the last four months.

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