Similarity in views led to DMDK, PWF tie-up: Nallakkannu

Coimbatore, March 24:DMDK's similar views on various issues with the four party People's Welfare Front made it easy to forge an alliance with it and given PWF increased chances of capturing power in the May 16 assembly polls in Tamil Nadu, veteran CPI leader R Nallakkannu said on Thursday, March 24.

"DMDK holds similar views to that of PWF on corruption, prohibition and also bringing in a separate legislation to prevent honour killings, which made it easy to cobble up an alliance," Nallakkannu.

The CPI leader said the PWF now has increased chances of winning the elections. Nallakannu was speaking after visiting Kausalya, the widow of slain Dalit youth Shankar, at the government hospital here.

When it was pointed out that PWF is contesting only 110 of 234 seats, leaving 124 to DMDK, he said what mattered most was defeating the "common enemies" Congress, BJP, AIADMK and DMK and to bring in a social change in the state. He also said it would be good if Tamil Maanila Congress (TMC) also joined the alliance.

Alleging that both AIADMK and DMK, which had ruled Tamil Nadu by turns for nearly 50 years, were involved in corruption and looting of natural resources, he said the main poll plank of PWF would be issues of corruption, prohibition and bringing in a separate legislation against honour killings. Nallakkannu said the SC wing of the party today handed Rs 30,000 to Kausalya.

He regretted that police had "failed" to take precautionary steps or provide security to Kausalya and Shankar, who entered into wedlock about eight months ago, leading to the brutal killing.

Yesterday, DMDK founder Vijayakant had aligned with Vaiko led PWF, with the actor-turned-politician being declared as the chief ministerial candidate of the alliance.

DMDK got the lion's share of 124 of the 234 Assembly constituencies while PWF constituents-- MDMK, CPI(M), CPI and VCK, will field candidates from the remaining 110.

PTI