CHENNAI: Rejecting the demand for a share in power from a section of Congress leaders in the DMK-led alliance in Tamil Nadu, Chief Minister M K Stalin on Wednesday asserted that there is no question of sharing power with allies, but the alliance with Congress would remain intact.
“Power sharing with alliance partners won’t work in Tamil Nadu. We know that and they (Congress) also know that well,” he said.
Stalin’s comments came a day after the party announced that it would begin seat-sharing talks with its “friendly parties” from February 22 for the polls. Congress leadership earlier on Tuesday had expressed disappointment over delay by the DMK in initiating seat-sharing talks with allies.
Speaking at an interaction during a roundtable hosted by a private television channel in Chennai on Wednesday, Stalin said that his equation with Rahul Gandhi was cordial. “As far as Rahul is concerned, he sees me as an elder brother. I, too, regard him as a brother. I am saying this beyond politics. He considers me as his own family, and I feel the same way about him.”
To a question on whether the DMK-Congress alliance would fight the poll together, Stalin responded that the alliance would continue.
Expecting 200 seats but will win more, says Stalin
“Definitely. It’s not like what others think. We are confident that we will win together,” he said. On Centre-State relations, Stalin reiterated his charge that TN has not been receiving adequate funds from the Union government. Exuding confidence about the DMK’s poll prospects, Stalin maintained that the ruling party would better its 2021 performance.
To a question on whether he was seeking votes based on schemes implemented in the past five years, he said, “Definitely. We are asking for votes by highlighting our schemes. All our schemes have fully reached the people. Therefore, we will certainly win. There is no doubt about it.”
On whether he was worried about his opponents and whom he considers as his main challenger, Stalin asserted, “No matter how many alliances they form, they cannot defeat the alliance led by the DMK. We are expecting 200 seats. In fact, I am confident we will win more than that. ”When asked if he anticipated the upcoming election to be tougher than the 2021 polls, he replied, “No, we are definitely going to sweep. There is no doubt about it.”