CHENNAI: The prospects of the People’s Welfare Front developing into a stronger force brightened on Thursday with DMDK leader Vijayakant’s statement that his party will not align with the DMK and the CPI’s political resolution for converting the front into a poll alliance.
The DMDK leader opened his mind at a public meeting in Mannipallam village near Mayiladuthurai in Nagapattinam district, a week after his discussion with MDMK leader Vaiko while travelling by air. The MDMK leader had also expressed hope that Vijayakant would join their alliance, at a press meet here last week. For their part, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi leader Thol Thirumavalavan and CPM State secretary G Ramakrishnan had met the DMDK leader and invited him to the front.
A party functionary said, “We have been insisting that Captain will be the next Chief Minister and the DMDK will form the government. A formal decision has not been taken about the alliance as the elections are about six months away. Any alliance we take part should naturally accept Captain as the Chief Ministerial candidate and it should be strong enough to win the elections.”
Vijayakant’s wife Premalatha had already ruled out joining hands with the PMK and the only other option is to remain with the BJP, which is not seen as a fruitful partnership by the DMDK functionaries.
The CPI too ended its uncertainty with a political resolution at its State committee meeting to develop the People’s Welfare Front into an electoral alliance. The unanimous decision was taken at the meeting attended by CPI general secretary S Sudhakar Reddy, national secretary D Raja and senior leaders R Nallakannu and D Pandian. The resolution criticised both the DMK and AIADMK and said an alternative for both the parties was the political necessity of the State.
‘DMK Copying PMK Campaign’
Chennai: PMK leader Anbumani Ramadoss on Thursday accused DMK treasurer MK Stalin of copying his party’s campaign strategies and said people will not trust him simply because of changing his appearance. After inaugurating a party office in the city, he said “Dravidian parties have ruled for 50 years. What change they have brought?