PMK opts out of race for Madurai mayorship

By Our Special Correspondent

CHENNAI, SEPT. 30. The PMK today backed off from a collision course with the DMK by asking its party candidate to opt out of the race for the Madurai mayorship.

According to sources, the PMK founder, Dr. S. Ramadoss, was ``upset'' over the manner in which his partymen forced a confrontation with DMK district leaders in Madurai during the seat negotiations for local bodies elections to the wards of the Madurai Corporation.

Although there were differences between the DMK and the PMK in the allotment of Corporation wards, these were to have been solved by the date for withdrawal of nominations. The instructions from the PMK high command were to the effect that the partymen could file nominations in those wards subject to dispute and later arrive at an agreement before the date for withdrawal.

This was a routine practice to obtain time till the last minute for seat negotiations. However, PMK partymen, in their enthusiasm, fielded a candidate for the Madurai mayorship too which was not allotted to the PMK in the seat sharing agreement.

Now, the PMK leader has directed the candidate, Ms. Gomathiamma, to withdraw from the race. Necessary instructions have also been given to the local leaders who played a key role in the PMK's ``show of aggression'' in Madurai.

The DMK president, Mr. M. Karunanidhi, said that the problem has been settled amicably. The genesis of the issue was PMK partymen who believed that they had got less seats in the Corporation during the seat sharing exercise. This was discussed and set right and hence, they withdrew their candidate, he said.

Asked if this friction between alliance partners manifest itself in the manner in which they cooperate at the grass-roots level, Mr. Karunanidhi said there would be ``full cooperation and understanding'' between cadre of the DMK alliance.

The DMK was contesting in 64 municipal and 424 town panchayat chairmen posts; the PMK was contesting to head 15 municipalities and 80 town panchayats while the BJP had put up candidates in 20 municipalities and 79 town panchayats for the posts of chairmen.

The MGR Kazhagam was contesting one and the MGR ADMK, two municipal chairmen posts. In town panchayats, the MGR ADMK is contesting in 15 chairmen posts; The MGR Kazhagam five posts and the Moovendar Munnetra Kazhagam, 6 places.

In panchayat unions, the DMK is contesting 283 of the 385 seats, the BJP is putting up candidates in 30 seats, the PMK in 67 and the MGR ADMK in five.

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Section  : Southern States
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