A meeting of the allies of the ruling TVK led by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay on Wednesday formally named the alliance as the Secular social justice victory front (Mathachcharpatra Samookaneethi Vetri Koottani).
Emerging from the meeting, TNCC president B Manickam Tagore said a new alliance has been formed under the leadership of Vijay.
The name of the alliance itself speaks volumes about the ideals and agenda of the combine and all parties that fight for the rights of the state are part of the alliance, Tagore said.
"The alliance will fight bypolls," he said.
Notably absent were the leaders of the Left parties. Both the CPI(M) and the CPI, which support the government, have skipped the meeting at TVK headquarters in Panaiyur.
Tagore along with Congress Rajya Sabha member Praveen Chakravarthy and Assembly floor leader Tharahai Cuthbert took part in the meeting.
Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam top leaders Vaiko and his son Durai, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) chief Thol Thirumavalavan, and Indian Union Muslim League leaders KM Kader Mohideen, AM Shahjahan and Syed Farooq Basha were among the participants.
The agenda for Wednesday's meeting, the second major gathering since the post-poll coalition formed the government, focused on formalising the alliance structure.
Key discussions are expected to centre on drafting a Common Minimum Programme, setting up a steering committee, naming a convener and finalising an official name for the bloc.
(With inputs from PTI)
