DMDK drags its feet on alliance, keeps BJP, DMK waiting

Chennai/Villupuram, March 3: Wooed simultaneously by DMK, BJP and the four-party combine PWF to join their fronts for the upcoming Tamil Nadu Assembly polls, DMDK is delaying its decision, as Union Minister Prakash Javadekar Friday, March 4 returned to Delhi without meeting party chief Vijayakanth, who asserted his party was not bargaining with any other outfit.

While Javadekar arrived here today, apparently to continue discussions with DMDK chief Vijayakanth, the latter left for Villupuram district to participate in party functions. Before leaving for Delhi, Javadekar said to media he "had not come for any political appointments."

He said he was in Chennai for an official review meeting and that he would be coming here again next week. On February 28, after holding discussions with Vijayakanth, he had told reporters here that the deliberations would be taken forward during his visit next week.

Meanwhile, addressing a meeting at Tirukovilur in Villupuram district, Vijayakanth said he was "not engaged in bargaining with any political party" and indicated that a decision on forging alliance would be made known. His reaction comes against the backdrop of claims in a section of the media that he was engaged in hard bargaining with parties over seats.

DMDK sources said their chief Vijayakanth along with senior party office-bearers was holding discussions over the question of alliance. Addressing his party's "turning point conference" last month in Kanchipuram, Vijayakanth had said his party workers desired him to be a "king" rather than a "kingmaker."

He, however, did not categorically spell out what it meant and whether his party would strike an alliance with the DMK, BJP or if it would go it alone. DMK, which clinched its deal with Congress, fervently hopes that DMDK would hop on to its bandwagon to fight against the ruling AIADMK.

BJP continues to insist that DMDK, which fought the Lok Sabha polls in 2014 as its ally, would repeat it for the coming Lok Sabha polls. On behalf of PWF (a combine of MDMK, CPI(M), CPI and VCK), VCK general secretary D Ravikumar said, "still there are possibilities for DMDK and TMC to join the People's Welfare Front."

He said PWF had extended an open invitation to both the parties to join it and that there were positive indications from them. As soon as DMDK reveals its cards, the political momentum will gather pace in Tamil Nadu.

PTI