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TMC ally hopes to be treated as major partner

The Puthiya Thamizhagam, a constituent of the Tamil Maanila Congress-led Third Front in Tamil Nadu, will concentrate on the southern districts, its leader Dr K Krishnasamy said today.

At a press conference in Madras, Dr Krishnasamy said negotiations are still on with G K Moopanar's TMC on sharing seats. There are 10 constituencies in the southern districts where the Puthiya Thamizhagam can secure up to 200,000 votes, he said, adding, "We will try to concentrate there."

On the number of seats his party expects to win, he said, "We hope we will be treated as a major partner in the TMC front."

Krishnasamy said he would put up scheduled-caste candidates in general constituencies also. His party has sought the cart, the symbol it had used last time around. He has also urged the state election commission to provide separate polling booths for dalits.

"If that is not possible, they should be permitted to vote in booths where there is adequate security to make them feel safe," the dalit leader said.

He alleged that very often dalits found that impersonators had already cast their votes.

Krishnasamy said he plans to kick off his election campaign on August 15.

UNI

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