Alliance talks heat up pre-election scene in Tamil Nadu
CHENNAI: As Tamil Nadu entered election year on Friday, moves to cobble up an alliance gathered pace with each political front trying to pose a challenge to ruling AIADMK.
A newly-formed front – the People’s Welfare Front (PWF) — comprising Vaiko’s MDMK, casteist outfit VCK and CPM and CPI — has begun alliance talks with breakaway Congress leader GK Vasan to include him and his party Tamil Maanila Congress in an alliance.
MDMK chief Vaiko and CPM called on Vasan on Friday and spent nearly an hour with the former Congress leader who left the party last year owing to what he said was erosion of stature of state leadership of the Congress.
Vasan told media persons that he was invited to join the front by the leaders and he thanked them for the invite but said he would consult the party and get back to the People’s Welfare Front.
Vaiko, however, was hopeful that Vasan would realise how disillusioned the people were with the DMK and the AIADMK and would join forces with the front that was trying to emerge as the third potent political force
“The third front will weaken the AIADMK and DMK,” Vaiko said, adding, “PWF intends to replace the corrupt Dravidian parties.”
The PWF has already tried to rope in DMDK chief Captain Vijayakanth, who for the time being, has kept his cards close to his chest.
During the last general elections to Lok Sabha, Captain Vijayakanth had teamed up with the BJP but made it clear to the party that he would want to lead the alliance if he were to continue to be a part of the NDA.
It remains to be seen if the BJP would be willing to play second fiddle to the film star