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Journalism of Courage
CHENNAI, AUG 5: The impasse in the DMK-led alliance in Tamil Nadu over seat-sharing continued today with the MDMK, upset over the allocation of five Lok Sabha seats, postponing a decision on its acceptance, saying a better deal was expected by tomorrow.
Approached by mediapersons at his party office, MDMK General Secretary Vaiko said he was hopeful of a 8220;good decision8221; by tomorrow, when the party8217;s district secretaries and Political Advisory Committee members meet.
He declined to divulge the details of his telephonic conversation yesterday with Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, but sources said he sought to persuade Vaiko to remain within the National Democratic Alliance NDA by accepting five Lok Sabha seats, besides an Assembly constituency where by-election is due.
Vaiko did not wish to comment on the adequacy or otherwise of the offer of five seats to the MDMK.
DMK President M Karunanidhi had extended an invitation to Vaiko for talks on seat allocation based on the offer made to it, whichwas apparently expecting two more seats.
The DMK had allocated a total of nine Lok Sabha seats to the PMK and TRC, six to the BJP and one each to MGR Anna DMK and MGR Kazhagam.
