Looks like DMDK’s alliance with the AIADMK turned out to be sour grapes and the party is now looking to join hands with the DMK-Congress alliance in Tamil Nadu. The official announcement is yet to be made along with the number of seats allotted to them.
Chennai: All eyes are on Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK) as the party has held talks with AIADMK-PMK-BJP alliance and DMK-Congress alliance. At a time when everyone thought the Vijayakanth-led party is to join hands with the former, looks like the party has somersaulted into the hands of the DMK-Congress.
Reports suggest that the Congress is ready to even forgo two seats that was already allocated to them, if this alliance materialises. The move comes as an attempt to meet the DMDK’s demand of five seats in order to join the alliance. Sources from the DMK say that the party is will to offer 3 seats and the negotiations are still on.
The AIADMK that recently joined hands with the BJP and the Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK), is also in talks with the DMDK to rope the party into the alliance. However, the DMDK had demanded seven seats on par with the PMK, which the AIADMK was allegedly reluctant to offer.
While the news of the lack of progress between the two parties spread, DMK chief MK Stalin visited the ailing DMDK chief Vijayakanth.
News of the alliance has been confirmed by a source from the DMK to MyNation, who also went on to say that the DMK is ready to offer 3 seats while the DMDK is seeking 4. The source also maintained that the talks are still on and nothing has been finalised yet. About the number of seats, the source said, “They may be given around three to four seats.” Upon being questioned about the DMDK’s demand of seven seats with the AIADMK, the source chuckled and said, “They will ask how many ever. But there is only so much we can offer. There is also the aspect of 'winnability'.”
The party source also went on to explain that the DMK would be happy about whichever party the DMDK decides to go with. He quipped, “If the DMDK decides to join hands with the AIADMK, then the DMK will have 17 seats for which there will be no contest. That is a cakewalk for us.”
MyNation also tried to get in touch with the DMDK, but they were not available for comments.
On February 20, DMK chief MK Stalin made an official announcement about their alliance with the Congress at the party headquarters in Chennai. DMK allotted 10 seats to the Congress - nine in Tamil Nadu and one in Puducherry.
Other allies would be announced soon after the talks on seat sharing are complete, the party said. The other allies would most likely be VCK, CPI, CPI(M), MDMK and IUML.
Read Exclusive COVID-19 Coronavirus News updates, at MyNation.