Karunas, Thaniyarasu, Ansari yet to decide on alliance

Six smaller parties joined the AIADMK alliance in 2016 and contested under the Two Leaves symbol. Of the six, three parties registered victory sending their MLAs to the Assembly as AIADMK nominees. However, the three MLAs and the smaller parties are now warming up towards other political leaders in the state, including the ousted AIADMK leader VK Sasikala.

Two AIADMK MLAs - actor Karunas and Kongu Illaignar Peravai leader U Thaniyarasu have told their supporters that they would meet the ousted AIADMK leader Sasikala after her release. Similarly, Nagapatinam MLA Thamimum Ansari had also reached out to the DMK and is maintaining a cordial relationship with both the DMK and the AIADMK.

According to informed AIADMK sources, the smaller political parties are keeping their options open, eyeing for favourable opportunities.

When contacted, actor and Thiruvadanai MLA Karunas said that he was running a caste-based outfit and cannot ignore Sasikala who is a popular leader.

Further it was Sasikala who was instrumental in getting an Assembly seat for him. On behalf of Mukkulathor Pulippadai, there are several demands for Ramanathapuram and Madurai districts. It is too early to comment on alliance. Anything is possible in politics and we will ally with the political parties that accepts our demands, Karunas said.

Leader of Kongu Ilaignar Peravai U Thaniyarasu who had recently met RK Nagar MLA TTV Dhinakaran had also expressed his wish that there should be a united AIADMK. Thaniyarasu had also told his supporters that the merger of AMMK and AIADMK was likely. Thaniyarasu has been with the AIADMK for more than 10 years, but at the same also maintains cordial relation with Leader of Opposition MK Stalin.

“Last election, the margin between the AIADMK and the DMK was around one per cent and several parties wanted to align with the AIADMK. This time there is a visible anti-incumbency and that’s the reason smaller parties MLAs are keeping their options wide open,” said an AIADMK legislator.

Karunas said that he was running a caste-based outfit and cannot ignore Sasikala who is a popular leader. Further it was Sasikala who was instrumental in getting an Assembly seat for him. Ansari had also reached out to the DMK