PMK joins hands with AIADMK in Tamil Nadu

Chennai, Mar 26 (ANI): Breaking off its alliance with the United Progressive Alliance (UPA), the Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) on Thursday joined hands with All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK).

PMK's General Council met here today to take a formal decision on forming an alliance with Jyalalithaa-led AIADMK. The meeting was attended by all senior leaders, including PMK founder S Ramadoss and his son and Union Health Minister Dr Anbumani.

According to sources, while 2,453 members voted for the alliance with the AIADMK, only 117 voted against it.

The PMK decided to shift its loyalty from the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) after a recent meeting between Union Home Minister P Chidamabaram and Anbumani Ramadoss failed to clear the differences between the two parties.

The signing ceremony is expected to unfold at Jayalalithaa's Poes Garden residencelater in the evening, sources said.

Jayalalithaa has also invited Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK) leader Vaiko and leaders of Communist Party of India -Marxist (CPI-M) and Communist Party of India (CPI), allies of AIADMK, to join for tea this evening.

The PMK would be contesting elections with AIADMK for the third time. The PMK was in the AIADMK-led front in the 2001 assembly polls, which was won by Jayalalithaa. Both the parties were in the BJP-led front in the 1998 Lok Sabha polls. (ANI)