Vaiko meets Alagiri, seeks support

Madurai, Mar 24: In a major political development in Tamil Nadu,

General Secretary

on Sunday met suspended

leader M K

at his residence and sought his support for the April 24 Lok Sabha polls.

The meeting between the leaders holds significance as DMK leaders were worried about the poll strategy to be taken by Alagiri after his suspension from the party.

Both were closeted for more than 40 minutes at Alagiri's house at Alagappan Nagar here. Later talking to reporters, Vaiko and Alagiri alleged that DMK high command had made malicious charges against them.

Vaiko told reporters that he had met Alagiri at the airport here recently. "Alagiri is a good friend and long associate of mine and had invited me to his house.

I met him at his house today and and requested him to support MDMK candidates in the Lok Sabha elections."

Alagiri, the disgruntled son of DMK patriarch M Karunanidhi, also said Vaiko had sought his support, adding, he would consult with his supporters about it and take a decision. As per the seat-sharing agreement between BJP and its partners in Tamil Nadu, MDMK was allotted seven seats.

Vaiko is contesting from Virudhunagar constituency, considered an Alagiri stronghold. Alagiri had on March 14 met BJP president Rajnath Singh at New Delhi and offered his support for the BJP alliance in Tamil Nadu which includes DMDK, PMK, MDMK, IJK and KMDK. It also has the support of 39 small outfits.

Later supporters of Alagiri said that "no assurance was given to Vaiko" (on support), though there was a "possibility" of the Karunanidhi's son backing the NDA.

"However, much depends on the consultations with Alagiri's supporters slated to be held in the next 10 to 15 days and approach of the DMK top leadership to break the ice", they said.

DMK suspended Alagiri and his supporters in January for his alleged "anti-party activities."

PTI