Date:20/02/2004 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2004/02/20/stories/2004022007821100.htm

National

Vaiko not to contest Lok Sabha elections

By Our Special Correspondent

CHENNAI, FEB. 19. The Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK) general secretary and sitting member of Parliament, Vaiko, tonight announced that he would not contest the forthcoming Lok Sabha polls.

Addressing his first public meeting here since his release on bail after 19 months of detention under the Prevention of Terrorism Act, Mr. Vaiko said the party's chairman of the presidium, L. Ganesan, would be the MDMK candidate from the Tiruchi constituency, the former Minister, Gingee Ramachandran from Vandavasi, Chittipaarai Ravichandran from Sivakasi and P. Krishnan from Pollachi.

The MDMK, a constituent of the Progressive Democratic Alliance led by the DMK, has been allotted four seats.