Major TN parties in the process of striking alliances

Chennai, Feb 27 (PTI) Battle lines are being drawn forthe Assembly polls due in April-May in Tamil Nadu with majorpolitical parties firming up or in the process of strikingalliances.

While the ruling DMK had already had two rounds oftalks with its key ally and UPA coalition leader Congress, ithad netted the PMK, Indian Union Muslim League and ViduthalaiChiruthaigal Katchi into its basket.

The opposition AIADMK had already launched talks withDMDK, floated by actor Vijayakant, MDMK and the Left partiesbesides allotting seats to minor parties like PuthiyaTamizhagam, Manithaneya Makkal Katchi, Republican Party ofIndia and All India Forward Block.

The AIADMK''s efforts for a rainbow alliance hadsucceeded with the DMDK joining it.

The BJP is waging a lone battle for the second time asneither of the two major Dravidian parties had entertainedit.

The alliances had undergone a sea change from the oneformed during the 2006 Assembly polls.While the DMK-Congressalliance and the AIADMK-MDMK tie up remained intact, the Leftparties have changed sides from DMK camp to AIADMK side sincethe 2009 Lok Sabha polls.

The PMK, known for shifting its loyalties, had done itonce again by shifting from AIADMK camp to that of theDMK-Congress combine. .