The Congress high command is in a quandary with more party seniors from Tamil Nadu showing reluctance to contest the Lok Sabha polls. On March 11, Union Shipping Minister, G.K. Vasan, declared that he would not contest the polls nut would campaign for the party's candidates. Photo: M. Srinath
CPI (M) general secretary Prakash Karat, unfazed by the AIADMK unilaterally breaking electoral ties with the Left parties, made it clear at a rally in Nagapattinam on March 9 that the Left parties will face the coming election “putting forward a Left platform of alternative polices.” Photo: B. Velankanni Raj
M.K. Stalin said that he sees a definite role for regional parties in government formation at the Centre post-election and was optimistic that his party will gain in the multi-cornered contest shaping up in Tamil Nadu. M. K. Stalin addressing voters at Marthandam in Kanyakumari district on March 14. Photo: A. Shaikmohideen