Seat-sharing talks yet to begin: Karunanidhi

Seat-sharing talks among allies of the Democratic Progressive Alliance (DPA) for Assembly polls are yet to begin, DMK chief M Karunanidhi today said, dismissing reports as "mischievous and imaginery" that discussions have already been completed.

"The reports are meant to create doubts among the constituents in order to create confusion," Karunanidhi said in a statement reacting to the local media reports.

The seat-sharing talks would begin only after the announcement of the poll schedule by the Election Commission, the leader of the major constituent of the DPA said.

While the DMK had an added responsibility to preserve the unity of the DPA, constitunents had responsibity to 'strangulate the rumours spread by the police and some mischief-mongers' on the talks, Karunanidhi said.

"I appeal to all constituents not to give any room to efforts of some, who wanted to split the DPA," he said, referring to CPI-M leader N Varadarajan's remarks that DMK should take efforts to preserve the unity of the DPA.

"I welcome his remarks that the CPI-M was committed to unseat the AIADMK from power," he said.