With no let up in its efforts to cobble together an alliance in Tamil Nadu for the LS polls, the BJP claimed that the elusive DMDK, led by actor-politico Vijayakant, had ‘in principle’ agreed for a pact. However, the saffron party admitted that talks with another prospective ally, the PMK, appears to have hit a roadblock, as the Vanniyar-dominant outfit was unwilling to give up seats in its traditional strongholds to partners in the alliance.
Bringing ‘captain’ to the saffron way was the outcome of hectic parleys between BJP State president Pon Radhakrishnan and the DMDK family trio — Vijayakant, Premalatha and L K Sudheesh — over the past two days, BJP sources said.
Ever since Vijayakant’s mission to Delhi and audience with the PM, speculation was rife that he would align with the Congress. But, it did not materialise with the Congress reportedly rejecting the demands of the DMDK as too big a price for meagre gains.
DMDK Likely to Demand 14 Lok Sabha Seats
The BJP has said that the DMDK, led by actor-politico Vijayakant, has ‘in principle’ agreed for an electoral pact.
According to BJP sources, Vijayakant had cast the dice in favour of the saffron party.
For his part, BJP State president Pon Radhakrishnan was extremely keen on getting on board Vijayakant, as the senior leader is again expected to contest from Nagercoil, where the DMDK had secured around 68,000 votes in the last LS polls, the sources pointed out. The DMDK is expected to demand around 14 seats.
But, the PMK is said to be playing hardball, unwilling to part with seats such as Salem, Cuddalore, Chidambaram, Mayiladuthurai and Krishnagiri, the sources claimed.
When seat-sharing talks began, the Vanniyar-dominant outfit presented its demand for 10 seats in three lists. The saffron party is eyeing Salem, Cuddalore and Krishnagiri.