The constituents of the People’s Welfare Front in Puducherry on Wednesday reached an agreement on seat-sharing for the May 16 Assembly polls in the Union Territory, leaving four seats for its ally Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK).
As per the agreement, the Communist Party of India (CPI) got eight and Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) seven while the CPI(M) and Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK) were allotted four each, besides one to the Revolutionary Socialist Party of India.
Last October, five political parties comprising the Communist Party of India (CPI), Communist Party of India (Marxist), Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK), Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) and the Revolutionary Socialist Party (RSP) floated the People’s Welfare Front (PWF).
Ahead of other political parties, it was the PWF which launched its campaign, projecting itself as an alternative to other parties in Puducherry. With the DMDK led by Vijayakant recently entering into an alliance with the People’s Welfare Front (PWF) in Tamil Nadu, the political equation among these parties took a turn in Puducherry.
Addressing reporters here, the PWF convener and CPI secretary R. Viswanathan said, “We decided to give four seats to the DMDK. The unit leaders said it would consult the party leader in Chennai and get back to us.”
Extends support
The front also decided to support CPI, CPI (M)-led Left Democratic Front’s independent candidate Prof. V. Ramachandran in Mahe and another independent in Yanam.
Leaders of the DMDK’s Puducherry unit did not attend the meeting which was held before the press meet. Mr. Viswanathan added that the constituencies would be identified later.
Asked whether the TMC would join the alliance, Mr. Viswanathan said he was not aware of that. The TMC was once a major force to be reckoned with in the UT.
Mr. Viswanathan also alleged that there was misappropriation of subsidy to Khadi and Village Industries Board to the tune of Rs.30 crore.
As per agreement, CPI gets 8 and VCK 7. CPI (M) and MDMK are given 4 each
