CPI(M), IUML name candidates for 3 LS seats

Chennai: The Communist Party of India (Marxist) and the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) on Friday named their candidates for three Lok Sabha constituencies allotted to them as part of seat-sharing arrangement in the 'Secular Progressive Alliance,' led by DMK.

The CPI(M) has fielded former Lok Sabha MP P R Natarajan in Coimbatore constituency, which he represented in the 15th Lok Sabha, while Sahitya Akademi Award winner and Tamil writer S Venkatesan would contest in the Madurai constituency.

"Natarajan has been associated with the party since 1968 and has held various positions. The two candidates would be raising issues of Tamil Nadu in Parliament once elected," CPI(M) state secretary K Balakrishnan told reporters here.

The IUML, which was alloted the Ramanathapuram seat, has announced K Nawaz Kani, managing director of a courier company, as the candidate.

"Fishermen in Ramanathapuram are facing several issues, water scarcity and employment are also among those plaguing people here. I will address them if elected," Gani told reporters soon after the announcement.

Earlier in the day, the opposition DMK named the constituencies in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry from where the party and its allies would be contesting.

There are 39 Lok Sabha seats in Tamil Nadu and one in neighbouring Puducherry, voting for all of which will be held in the second phase scheduled on April 18.

The Congress has been allotted the lion's share of 10 seats (nine in TN and one in Puducherry) among other parties in the alliance.