Salem AIADMK cadres disappointed

By Our Special Correspondent

SALEM, SEPT. 30. A strong sense of disappointment is prevalent among the AIADMK cadre here over the seat allocation for the Salem Corporation wards. They say the winnable seats are being given away to the allies leaving the ``doubtful'' ones for AIADMK men.

Protesting the seat allocation, an AIADMK functionary, Mr. E. Madheswaran (45), former Municipal Councillor, attempted to immolate himself in front of the residence of the Minister for Health, Mr. S. Semmalai.

Another functionary too has threatened to set himself ablaze if he is removed from the 17th Corporation ward which is said to have been already allotted to him. The police said Mr. Madheswaran, now holding the party post of divisional secretary, was unhappy over the allocation of the 13th division in Salem Municipal Corporation to the Tamil Maanila Congress.

The TMC did not have any solid backing in the division, whereas it would be a cake-walk for the AIADMK. A list of winnable divisions was submitted to Mr. Semmalai, but it was ignored, Mr. Madheswaran alleged. To protest the ``arbitrary seat allocation,'' Mr. Madeshwaran said, he decided to set himself afire. But the police on security duty at the Minister's house prevented him from doing so and booked a case against him under Section 309 (suicide attempt) of Cr.PC.

Another voice of dissent is heard from the Jayalalithaa Peravai functionary, Mr. Rajendran. He claimed that Ms. Jayalalitha already named him for Ward 17, but the local Minister gave away it to the TMC.

Mr. Rajendran threatened to consign himself to flames if he was not allowed to contest for the ward. There is a widespread feeling among the cadres that their services are fully being utilised by the leadership, but when it comes to seat- sharing neither their voice is heard, nor do they get a chance to contest.

The TMC leaders say they have obtained 15 seats where the chances of their winning are quite bright, and that too after due negotiations. Another opinion doing the rounds in the AIADMK circles is that certain functionaries are resorting to the pressure tactics to garner the seats.

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Section  : Southern States
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