CHENNAI: AISMK founder R Sarathkumar, who had snapped ties with the AIADMK-led front recently, returned to it on Wednesday. He called on AIADMK general secretary and Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa and conveyed his party’s support to the AIADMK-led front in the ensuing Assembly elections. Talking to mediapesons at Poes Garden, Sarathkumar said seat-sharing and others would be decided in the days to come.
Asked about his earlier decision to snap ties with the AIADMK, he said, “Our party office-bearers wished that aligning with the AIADMK would be good for the growth of the party and hence we are here.”
He refused to comment on the new party formed by Ernavur Narayanan, AISMK MLA from Nanguneri, who was expelled from the party. AISMK got two seats in AIADMK-led front in 2011 Assembly seats and Sarathkumar contested from Tenkasi and Narayanan from Nanguneri on the AIADMK symbol of ‘Two Leaves’.
A couple of weeks ago, senior leader of the BJP and Union Minister Prakash Javadekar called on Sarathkumar at his residence in the midnight on February 28 and Sarathkumar had agreed to join the NDA. Now, he had changed his mind.
On March 11, Ernavur Narayanan formed his own party Samathuva Makkal Kazhagam and announced his party’s support for the AIADMK. He also levelled many charges against Sarathkumar.
IUML Gets Five Seats from DMK Chennai: The IUML on Wednesday got five seats in the DMK front for the Assembly elections. During 2011, the party was given three seats. IUML leader Khader Mohideen held detailed discussions with DMK treasurer MK Stalin in the morning and called on party president M Karunanidhi in the evening and finalised the seat-sharing agreement. The IUML is the first party in the DMK front to finalise the seat-sharing. A couple of days ago, Manithaneya Makkal Katchi led by MH Jawahirullah joined the DMK front. The Congress is expected to commence seat-sharing talks with DMK very soon.