MADURAI: Stunned by the turn of events after the DMDK decided against aligning with them, senior DMK leaders went into a huddle at party chief
M Karunanidhi’s Gopalapuram residence here on Friday to chart a plan to deal with the development. The focus now, sources said, is on bringing in smaller parties that can add numbers — particularly in areas where the party is weaker than the ruling AIADMK.
The alternate plan at the moment is to cobble together an alliance that comprises of parties like Puthiya Thamizhagam, a Dalit party which has presence in south Tamil Nadu, and outfits like Nadalum Makkal Katchi, floated by actor Karthick, which has the support of a section of Thevars. This could help bring in votes in southern parts of the State where it is not as strong as the AIADMK, said party leaders. Leaders whom Express spoke to see the BJP’s hand in nudging Vijayakant to say no to the DMK. If these two former allies join hands as they suspect, it could fetch them more votes from the minority communities, the DMK leaders believe. The party already has a good relationship with the IUML, and hopes that the recent developments would strengthen this bond. Another section of the leaders believe that the four-party People’s Welfare Alliance may join hands with the DMDK, which they feel could split the votes against it between AIADMK and the PWA. In such a scenario, the focus should be on the manifesto and choosing candidates carefully, DMK leaders said.
Even as they put up a brave face on the DMDK’s announcement, second-rung leaders said they believe the party invested too heavily on Vijayakant.
The party leadership is concerned over the impact it will have on the morale of the cadre, as they were given hopes that the alliance was clinched with only a formal announcement pending.
The meeting at Karunanidhi’s residence was attended by his son and party treasurer M K Stalin and his half-sister and Rajya Sabha MP Kanimozhi, senior leaders T R Baalu, Durai Murugan, A Raja among others. “Karunanidhi had invited the DMDK to join our front. But it is their decision to join the alliance or not. This certainly won’t affect the winning prospects of the DMK,” Stalin told reporters on Friday.