DMK-led front in TN christened 'Secular Progressive Alliance'

Chennai: The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam on Friday formally christened the alliance led by it in Tamil Nadu as 'Secular Progressive Alliance', in which the Congress and Left parties are the key constituents.

DMK president M K Stalin, releasing the list of 40 Lok Sabha seats --39 in Tamil Nadu and one in Puducherry-- to be contested by each party in the alliance, said his party-led pre-poll combine is the "Secular Progressive Alliance."

The top Dravidian party leader said his party-led alliance was based on "principles" and expressed confidence that it would post a spectacular victory.

Led by the DMK, the coalition comprises Congress, CPI(M), CPI, Vaiko-led MDMK, Indian Union Muslim League, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi and smaller outfits, the Kongunadu Makkal Desiya Katchi and the Indiya Jananayaga Katchi.

In 2004, the DMK-led alliance was called the Democratic Progressive Alliance in Tamil Nadu. At the national level, the Congress and its allies that formed a front was christened "United Progressive Alliance."

The Congress party's allies included DMK, PMK, MDMK from Tamil Nadu and the NCP and RJD from other States.

Stalin said a resolution was adopted in a meet that preceded the release of the list which sought a High Court-monitored probe into the sexual harassment scandal that led to an outrage in Tamil Nadu.

Tamil Nadu government has already ordered a CBI probe into the matter.