Unwilling to break ranks with the CPI (M), CPI seems to have opted against trying for an alliance with the DMK for now.
After seat-sharing talks with the ruling AIADMK fell through, CPI leaders eagerly looked towards the DMK, but the CPI (M) made it clear that it would look ridiculous to switch alliance over differences on seat-sharing.
At the executive committee meeting of the CPI, which assessed the political fallout in the wake of the AIADMK’s decision to snap ties with the Left parties, there was a mood for switchover to the DMK alliance. After M. Karunanidhi on Thursday expressed his desire to have the Left parties in the DMK combine, many of the party approached the Left.
The DMK is ready to wait and has already limited the allocation of seats to other allies in the hope that the Left would eventually fall in line.
“This is an important election that can be likened to a political tsunami. Even major political parties with the wherewithal find the going tough and a lonely voyage will take us nowhere,” said a senior CPI leader justifying his party’s stand in favour of sailing with the DMK.
He, however, added that Left solidarity was the need of the hour and the CPI would not take any decision independent of the CPI (M) on alliance.
CPI (M) whip and state secretariat member K. Balakrishnan said switching camps because of dispute over a couple of seats would not be a good idea politically. In 1998, the CPI (M), which could not reach an agreement with the DMK, decided to contest two seats and supported the Dravidian party in all other constituencies.
“We did not go to the AIADMK seeking seats then,” Mr. Balakrishnan said, adding that it could not be construed that this time also his party would support the AIADMK in constituencies where it would not contest.
The CPI (M)’s argument is that though it is not against the DMK, it will be extremely difficult to face the voters after the party’s strident campaign against the DMK in the 2G spectrum scam.
“When we target the Congress-led UPA at the Centre, we cannot spare the DMK which was part of the government and continued to support it even after quitting the alliance,” Mr. Balakrishnan said.
