Regional Parties Boost NDA Strength in TN

Regional satraps like DMDK, MDMK and PMK which joined the NDA alliance today brightened its poll prosects, besides ensuring a stiff contest against two Dravidian parties - ruling AIADMK and DMK.

BJP, which remained an underdog in the political map of Tamil Nadu hitherto, boosted its image and its ambition is to send a significant number of represantatives to Lok Sabha.

Incidentally, the alliance to actor-turned-politician Vijayakanth-led DMDK is also significant in political terms, as the nascent party is trying to enlarge its presence in Delhi.          

DMDK stumbled upon success in the 2011 Assembly polls in Tamil Nadu which it fought in alliance with AIADMK.   

However, though the party became the principle opposition in the state Assembly, its relations soured with Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa's outfit and even some of its MLAs switched loyalty to the ruling party.            

With BJP striking rich forming a grand alliance riding on the Narendra Modi factor, the DMK led by M Karunanidhi is fighting the April 24 polls with some minor local parties like VCK, IUML, MMK and PR while AIADMK is trying its luck going alone.     

Given the influence of the DMDK, Vanniyar community dominated PMK and Vaiko's MDMK in parts of the state, the election presents multi-corner contest and the combine was expected to give strong fight to AIADMK and DMK nominees.      

Jayalalithaa has dumped two Left parties, her former allies, to ensure that her party wins all the 39 seats to pave way for her to play a pivotal role in the national political scenario.

The Congress, which has virtually faced political ostracisation in the state will be contesting the election on its own.

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