MMK Set to Quit People's Welfare Front

CHENNAI:Popular Muslim outfit, Manithaneya Makkal Katchi (MMK) is all set to desert the People’s Welfare Front (PWF), as the party leaders are not interested in converting the front into an electoral alliance for the 2016 Assembly elections.

Speaking to Express, party leader MH Jawahirullah, said “We joined the front only to fight for people’s issues. We are not agreeable to converting the front into an electoral alliance”.

Interestingly, the Gandhian People’s Movement, the first party to quit the front, had alleged that the alliance leaders were not keen to transform it into an electoral front.

Political analyst and journalist Govi Lenin said “the MMK’s decision not to continue in the PWF arises from its perception that they may not be able to win seats in the Assembly polls in such a front. They prefer the AIADMK front hoping to win a few seats. In the 2014 LS polls, they joined hands with the DMK but came a cropper. Besides, the MMK was not able to bring Muslim votes to the DMK alliance.”

When the PWF was launched, it had six parties including MDMK, VCK, the two Left parties, MMK and Gandhian People’s Movement. The MMK, despite being part of the PWF which has vowed to fight against both the AIADMK government in the State and BJP at the Centre supported the AIADMK government during the Assembly session.

While other opposition parties opposed the resolution commending the AIADMK government for its efforts in bringing Rs 2.42 lakh crore investments through the Global Investors Meet, the MMK supported the resolution. During discussions, Jawahirullah was lavish in his praise of the AIADMK supremo J Jayalalithaa. While demanding prohibition, the MMK leader appreciated Jayalalithaa for banning lottery business and ending usury.

During an interview to a Tamil TV, he ruled out an alliance with the DMK, alleging that its local leaders did not cooperate with the MMK during the 2014 Parliament polls. The party seems to be certain of getting a few seats in the AIADMK front for the 2016 Assembly polls.

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