CHENNAI: DMDK founder and actor Vijayakant is all set to join DMK treasurer M K Stalin and PMK’s CM candidate Anbumani Ramadoss in the race for capturing power in the State with a series of public meetings from August 20.
While Stalin and Anbumani are holding zonal conferences, Vijayakant is planning to organise a public meeting in each district. The actor is expected to distribute welfare assistance to the people to make the events more popular and swing the mood in favour of the DMDK.
DMDK propaganda secretary V C Chandrakumar said, “We are not planning to hold zonal conferences like other parties. But, we will arrange public meetings where Captain will distribute welfare assistance to the people. The first is in Gummidipoondi in Tiruvallur district on August 20 and the second in Kancheepuram the next day.”
The party that has convened a conclave on August 9, would chalk out strategies to mobilise mass support for the rallies and ensure big show of strength for the DMDK ahead of alliance negotiations with others. The meetings are likely to go on for a few months in each of the districts and provide a connect to Vijayakant with the masses.
Stalin has held conferences in Cuddalore, Madurai and Coimbatore seeking people’s support for a change to form the government. Anbumani, holding zonal conferences in the party’s northern districts, has held two in Coimbatore and Vellore to expand the party’s base and a similar one is planned in Madurai.
As early as 2011, the DMDK had placed posters and cutouts announcing their leader as the next chief minister. At a press meet in Erode recently, Chandrakumar reiterated his party’s desire to make Vijayakant the chief ministerial candidate.
So far, the BJP has not accepted the actor as the CM candidate of the NDA in the State. But, Vijayakant has many options as he seems to be the highly sought after suitor in the alliance market.
The DMK is not leaving any stone unturned to bring the DMDK onboard for the forthcoming Assembly elections.
It had made unsuccessful attempts even before the 2014 Lok Sabha elections. CPM politburo member and State secretary G Ramakrishnan has also invited Vijayakant to join the Left parties’ Joint Movement for People’s Welfare comprising the MDMK and Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi. Once Vijayakant’s run gains momentum through the public meetings, the demand for him might go up further.