Monday, January 2 2006 13:42 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Chennai: DMK-led Democratic Progressive Alliance (DPA) would formally kick off electioneering on January 18 for the upcoming Tamil Nadu assembly polls by launching a state-wide campaign seeking ouster of the 'dictatorial, undemocratic and anti-people' AIADMK government.

The alliance would organise a series of street meetings, rallies and cycle rallies from that day, DMK President M Karunanidhi told reporters after a meeting of the leaders of the DPA here.

On the seat sharing talks between constituents of the DPA, he said, "preliminary talks have already begun".

Asked whether the DMK's manifesto would be released during the three-day state conference of the party at Tiruchirapalli beginning on March 3, he said it all depended on the announcement of poll schedule by the Election Commission. If the seat sharing arrangements between the DPA constituents were finalised before the start of the conference, it would be announced at Tiruchirapalli, he said.

On MDMK and PMK's demand that the Centre should not sell arms to Sri Lanka, he said the leaders of these parties had already met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in this regard.

"Dr Singh is not averse to the demand," he said. As far as the DMK was concerned, the party always toed the line of the Centre on foreign policy. But the party was firm that Sri Lankan Tamils should not be tortured on any account, he added.