No seat in Madurai for CPM, first time since 1967

Madurai: CPM rank and file in Madurai are disappointed that the party will not be contesting in any constituency in Madurai district for the first time since its formation in 1967.The party has traditionally fielded candidates in one or more Madurai segments, either independently or as part of alliances with the DMK or AIADMK. It has also experimented with third fronts, aligning with MDMK in 1996 and People's Welfare Alliance in 2016, with mixed outcomes. However, in this election, the CPM's principal ally DMK is contesting in seven of the 10 constituencies in Madurai, while MDMK has been allotted Madurai South, and the Congress, Usilampatti and Melur seats. In NDA, the AIADMK is fielding candidates in eight seats, with BJP and Puthiya Needhi Katchi contesting one each. CPM leaders said the party did seek a seat in Madurai, but had to give up the district after its overall share in the DMK alliance was reduced to five seats, forcing it to prioritise constituencies elsewhere. According to party sources, DMK's decision to retain all Madurai segments was driven by anticipation of a tough contest with AIADMK. The ruling party felt that the scale of resources required to counter AIADMK could be pooled only by its own candidates. "DMK minister P Moorthy was keen on winning all 10 segments and did not want to take any chances," said a CPM functionary. The DMK also factored in that both the Madurai MP and the city's deputy mayor are from CPM. Despite the strategic considerations, a section of CPM functionaries are upset. They point out that veterans such as N Sankaraiah, N Nanmaran and K P Janakiammal have represented Madurai constituencies multiple times. Historically, the district has been a communist stronghold, shaped by its industrial base and a large workforce of organised and unorganised labour. In the first assembly election in 1952, trade union leader P Ramamurthi famously contested from prison and won. "However, we will work for our allies this time,'' said a CPM leader.