NEW DELHI: Reduced to single-digit strength in Parliament, Left parties CPI and CPM have been put in a spot for accepting donations of Rs 15 crore and Rs 10 crore respectively from DMK during the Lok Sabha polls earlier this year.CPM, CPI and Kondu Nadu Democratic Party (KNDP), among others, contested the Lok Sabha polls as DMK’s alliance partners in Tamil Nadu . In its declaration of election expenditure to the Election Commission last week, DMK recorded donations of Rs 40 crore — from its total election expenses of about Rs 79 crore — to alliance partners CPI, CPM and KNDP.While it is not unusual for bigger political parties to assist smaller allies during polls, this exchange caught the public eye for being a transaction between two opposing ends of the ideological spectrum. Left parties have traditionally criticised the disproportionate use of “money power” in electoral processes, often referring to parties that use them as “Capitalist”. This is also arguably first instance of political parties, that too, national ones, making formal donations of this nature.CPM made divergent statements on the issue. While TN CPM state secretary K Balakrishnan acknowledged the donation, CPM politburo did not acknowledge it in the first instance. “Contrary to the allegation, all donations and funds received during the period of Lok Sabha elections have been reflected in the statement of election accounts submitted to the Election Commission. This includes donations and contributions received from all over the country including Tamil Nadu. Nothing is hidden as falsely alleged....The ‘amount’ stated in the media report as party expenditure is concocted,” the politburo said in a statement.CPI sources, however, acknowledged the money it took from DMK. It said that while this was a difficult decision, it was politically expedient as the cash-strapped party fights to remain relevant in electoral politics.CPI general secretary D Raja, however, sought to explain the exchange as “normal”. “This is not unethical. In Tamil Nadu, coalitions are made through signed agreements and offering financial support is normal. The exchange was done transparently through bank transfers and we will submit our accounts to the Election Commission next week,” he said.Raja also said the “ethics of coalition” demanded that alliance partners campaign for each other across the state, expenses for which were met by the donations received and will be declared to the EC in due course.