CPI to decide on supporting TVK today

CPI general secretary D Raja said that his partys stance on whether to support TVK will be announced this evening. The CPI won two seats in the April 23 Assembly election in alliance with the DMK and was approached by TVK seeking support to form government.

The CPI executive committee, which met here on Friday over the issue of supporting the TVK to form the government, is involved in weighing the pros and cons and would make known its stand later in the day, the party said. CPI general secretary D Raja said that his party's stance on whether to support TVK will be announced this evening. ''Our party in Tamil Nadu is discussing. Here (Delhi) also we are engaged in consultation. By evening things will be more clear, and we will announce the decision'', he told PTI videos. With regard to the alleged delay in Tamil Nadu governor inviting TVK to form the government, Raja said that the governor should respect the people's mandate, which is in favour of TVK. Stating that TVK is the single largest party, the CPI leader said that the governor should invite it to form the government. He said the governor should not ''create hurdles'' and he should follow convention. Menawhile, a CPI source said the Communist party was keen on safeguarding its ideology and at the same time ensure a common minimum programme was followed in case the party decided to back the TVK. The meeting, which commenced under the leadership of the party's Tamil Nadu secretary, M Veerapandian, is heading for a marathon discussion. The CPI won two seats in the April 23 Assembly election in alliance with the DMK and was approached by TVK seeking support to form government. TVK won 108 seats in the just concluded Assembly polls and needs 118 to form government. It already has the support of five Congress MLAs.