Chennai, July 24 - The two communist parties - Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) and Communist Party of India (CPI) - have decided to contest in the by-elections in Tamil Nadu despite their Lok Sabha election alliance leader AIADMK deciding to boycott the bypolls to be held Aug 18.

In a meeting of their high level committee held in Tiruchirapalli Friday, around 300 km from here, the two communist parties decided to contest four out of five seats.

While CPI-M will contest in Thondamathur and Cumbum constituencies, CPI will test its strength on Srivaikumdam and Bargur seats. The two parties would extend support to a friendly party if it contests the Illayankudi seat.

Meanwhile, the ruling DMK has started interviewing party applicants here to contest the byelections.

Queried about the seats that the party and its ally Congress would contest, DMK leader and Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi told reporters here: 'The Congress has asked for two seats. We will decide on the seat allocation after talks. It will be decided in two days.'