Date:22/04/2005 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2005/04/22/stories/2005042206600400.htm

Tamil Nadu

DPI names candidates

Special Correspondent

`Contest is to assert identity'

CHENNAI: The Dalit Panthers of India (DPI) on Thursday announced its nominees for the Kancheepuram and Gummidipoondi Assembly seats "to assert the party's independent identity, as it is not part of any electoral front."

N.Ilamsezhian, central committee member will contest inKancheepuram and S.K.Viduthalaisezhian, deputy general secretary in Gummidipoondi.

At a press conference here, general secretary Thol.Thirumavalavan

said the party contesting the byelections would not come in the way of its ties with the Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) in the Tamil Protection Movement . " If the PMK, which is a constituent of the Democratic Progressive Allinace, enters the fray, we will consider supporting its nominees. We will not put that party in a delicate situation by seeking its support to the DPI nominees".

The DPI would seek the support of the Indian National League and the Makkal Tamil Desam, which were part of the People's Front formed during the last Lok Sabha elections.

As the `worst violence' erupted during the just concluded local bodies byelections, the DPI would urge the Centre to deploy para-military forces in the two Assembly segments.

The party would organise demonstrations in all district headquarters on April 25 to press for a CBI probe into the death of the DPI-supported candidate in the byelection for the Pappapatti (Reserved) panchayat in Madurai district.

Azhagumalai, elected president of the Keeripatti (Reserved) panchayat should not be allowed to resign under any circumstances, Mr. Tirumavalavan said urging the Government to provide him protection and support in carrying out his responsibilities.

Puthiya Bharatham nominee

The Puthiya Bharatham State president, Vanur Inbaraj, filed papers for the Kancheepuram seat with the returning officer K.Anbazhagan on Thursday.

The 57-year-old candidate contested for the Tindivanam Parliament seat in 1977 and for the Vannur Assembly seat in 1980 as a Republican Party candidate.

So far two nominations have been received for the Kancheepuram byelection.