DPI insists on Oulgaret seat

By Our Staff Reporter

PONDICHERRY, APRIL 7. The Dalit Panthers of India is not happy about allocation of only two seats against the four it sought from the DMK-led NDA, an informed source of the Pondicherry unit told this reporter here today.

Though the party had good scope in Oulgaret (a non- reserved segment), the NDA did not allot the constituency to the DPI. ``We still insist that Oulgaret be earmarked to us, otherwise, we will be forced to abstain from contesting the election as a whole'', the source said.

The party has been given Embalam (reserved) and Tirubuvanai under the present arrangement. ``We are not pleased with this very restricted allocation and we have already conveyed our displeasure to our party leader and also to the DMK leaders'', the source said.

Meanwhile, leaders of the Bharathiya Janata party and the Janata Dal (United) today held discussions with the convener of the DMK and former Chief Minister, Mr. R. V. Janakiraman, presumably to finalise a common poll strategy. As per the agreement finalised by the DMK, heading the NDA, the BJP has been given five seats (one in Pondicherry, one in Karaikal, two in Mahe and one in Yanam), while the JD (U) gets only one (Thattanchavady). The DMK has got the big share of 18.

Poll security

The Chief Electoral Officer of Pondicherry, Mr. B. Vijayan, said here today that seven companies of the Central Reserve police and also the Central Industrial Security Force would be deployed in the Union Territory during the election. Stating that there would be strict enforcement of the model code of conduct, Mr Vijayan said with the passing of a special legislation to prevent the disfigurement or defacement of public properties, the authorities had powers to deal with anyone violating the law and suo moto action was also possible.

Mr. Vijayan said police officers above the ranks of sub- inspectors were being acquainted with nuances of the model code of conduct and also other aspects of electoral guidelines.

He said so far nearly 40 cases had been booked against political parties for the defacement of public properties. Strict vigil would also be maintained on the border points so that there would be no room for clandestine transport of arrack into Pondicherry.

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