The stand-off between NDA allies PMK and AINRC in Puducherry took a sharp turn on Sunday, with MDMK chief Vaiko declaring support for the PMK candidate for the coming Lok Sabha polls. Sources in the MDMK and the PMK said the announcement is steeped in realpolitik, considering the cooperation they are extending to each other in campaigning across TN.
“In the coming general election to the 16th Lok Sabha, the MDMK supports the PMK’s candidate, RKR Anantharaman, who is contesting on the ‘mango’ symbol. I urge party cadre and functionaries to work towards this candidate’s victory,” read Vaiko’s short statement.
The statement came a day after the DMDK reacted to the confusion in a diametrically opposite fashion, by asking all parties involved to stop using its name, its flags and its leader Vijayakant’s photos in campaigning.
The PMK is part of the NDA in Tamil Nadu, but has fielded a candidate in Puducherry, where the BJP has a truck with the AINRC, which is fielding former Puducherry Assembly Speaker R Radhakrishnan.
“We have been cooperating with PMK and DMDK in campaigning. The relationship is one of trust and is seeing a great amount of cooperation among functionaries and at the grassroots,” said an MDMK functionary. “The most important thing for all three of us is to ensure a healthy relationship.”