We will stick to DMK in TN, says Congress

With the dates for the forthcoming Lok Sabha polls announced, election fever has gripped Tamil Nadu with the two main political parties holding parleys with their allies on seat-sharing.

While AICC general secretary Ghulam Nabi Azad had informal talks with DMK Chief M Karunanidhi on the seat-sharing formula for the Lok Sabha elections, an MDMK team met the election team constituted by AIADMK leader Jayalalithaa and had discussions on seat-sharing.

Azad asserted that the Congress would continue its ties with the DMK, despite Jayalalithaa's advice to the grand-old-party to end its alliance with its UPA constituent, if the party wanted to face the polls 'honourably'.

MDMK leaders, led by its parliamentary board member S Doraisamy, discussed seat-sharing arrangements with the AIADMK team, led by party treasurer O Pannerselvam. An AIADMK press release said it was the 'first round' of talks.