CHENNAI: While all eyes are on the factional feud within the AIADMK ahead of the RK Nagar Assembly bypoll, politics here is on the brink of an interesting realignment, as VCK and CPI, two of the three constituents of the People’s Welfare Alliance (PWA), are pushing CPM to back the DMK.
Though PWA leaders have maintained that their stand would be made clear after further consultations, sources told Express that there were heated discussions during the internal meeting on extending support to the DMK.
So far, however, the State leadership of the CPM has staunchly opposed it, pointing out that the alliance was formed as an alternative to the AIADMK and the DMK.
Sources in the CPI said it was the VCK that floated the idea of backing the DMK. As it is, the Left camp is worried over the success of the BJP in the recent elections and its desperation to gain a foothold in Tamil Nadu.
“During our executive committee meeting, we had discussed the BJP’s rise in other states, and its attempt to gain entry into Tamil Nadu politics. We also think an AIADMK-BJP alliance is possible in the forthcoming local body polls. We don’t want communal forces to enter the State. Hence, we considered supporting the DMK,” said a senior CPI leader requesting anonymity.
Defeating the ruling party would provide the opposition the much-needed momentum ahead of local body polls. “Keeping this in mind, we are planning to support DMK. But it is yet to be confirmed,” the leader added.
According to VCK sources, a few of its cadre wanted party president Thol Thirumavalavan to contest the RK Nagar bypolls. But Thiruma ruled it out and instead suggested the support to the DMK, which will give the opposition a better chance at defeating the ruling AIADMK, and help its case when the time comes for local body seat-sharing.
The CPI was not too keen to jump on the DMK bandwagon immediately, but was open to offering support for this bypoll, VCK sources told Express.
Speaking to reporters in Coimbatore on Sunday, CPI State Secretary R Muththarasan welcomed DMK leader M K Stalin’s invite, and said they will take a “good decision” in this regard. But it won’t be easy, as the CPM does not share its partners’ enthusiasm.