Vasan meets Stalin ahead of local body polls

Chennai, Sep 19: Tamil Maanila Congress leader GK Vasan today met DMK treasurer MK Stalin, sparking speculation of a political realignment ahead of next month's local body polls, even as Congress asserted that its alliance with DMK will continue for these elections also.

"As the leader of TMC, if I had met the Opposition leader (Stalin) for a political meeting, everyone knows its meaning," Vasan said when asked if his party was interested in forging a tie-up for the local body polls.

Vasan further added that he will call on DMK president M Karunanidhi in a couple of days. Vasan, a former Union Minister, had quit Congress to resurrect his father G K Moopanar founded Tamil Maanila Congress in 2014.

TMC had faced the May 16 Assembly polls as part of the DMDK-PWF alliance, but had drawn a blank like allies DMDK, and People's Welfare Front (PWF) constituents--MDMK, CPI (M), CPI and VCK. Meawnhile, TNCC President Su Thirunavukkarasar said his party's alliance with DMK will continue for the local body polls also.

"DMK and Congress were in alliance for the (May 16) Assembly polls. The alliance continues," he told reporters after calling on Karunanidhi for the first time since being appointed as TNCC president recently.

Thirunavukkarasar said local body polls was also discussed today. Seat-sharing would be discussed later, he added. Asked for his reaction on Vasan-Stalin meeting, Thirunavukkarasar said he did not want to comment on it as "there could be a 1,000 reasons" behind two leaders having a discussion.

When pressed for his reaction on a possible alliance between DMK and TMC, the Congress leader declined to respond to "speculations" and said he will talk on it if such a tie-up indeed took shape. Meanwhile, DMDK leader Premalatha, wife of party founder Vijayakanth, said the party will spell out its stand on the local body polls after the dates for the elections were announced.

PTI