CHENNAI: Contrary to DMDK founder Vijaykant’s claims, a couple of days ago that he has yet to hold talks on any alliance, DMK president M Karunanidhi on Tuesday indicated that efforts to bring DMDK ally with the DMK were yielding results.
“Pazham nazhuvikkondirukkiradhu. Paalil eppodhu vizhum endru innnum mudivaagavillai! (The fruit is just slowly falling...don’t know when it will fall into the milk),” Karunanidhi made this positive remark when media persons asked when the DMDK would be joining the DMK front.
Asked about the reason for the ilupari (uncertainty) in clinching the alliance deal with DMDK, and what their demands were, Karunanidhi said, “There is no uncertainty in this. I can’t say anything more than this at this juncture.”
When mediapersons repeated whether he was still hoping to rope in DMDK to the DMK-led front, he replied in the affirmative. Responding to another query, Karunanidhi said no other party has been invited to join the front.
Karunanidhi said for the 234 Assembly constituencies in Tamil Nadu 4,362 aspirants had filed applications, while 71 aspirants filed applications for contesting the 30 constituencies in Pondicherry. In all, 6,366 persons received applications by paying `12.37 crore and 4,433 aspirants were interviewed between the days between February 22 and Mach 8.
The DMK chief said the manifesto of the DMK would be released within three or four days.
Stalin to contest from Kolathur again
It is certain that the DMK treasurer, MK Stalin, will be contesting from Kolathur Assembly constituency since no one else has sought the party ticket for this constituency. Stalin was formally interviewed by the panel, comprising the party president M Karunanidhi and general secretary K Anbazhagan. During the interview Stalin was asked about the party’s prospects in Kolathur constituency. Interview of all aspirants was scheduled to be concluded on March 7. However, interview of aspirants from six constituencies in North Chennai could not be held due to shortage of time.