DMK, Congress announce alliance for TN Assembly polls

Chennai: The AICC announced on February 13 an alliance with the DMK to fight the Assembly polls in Tamil Nadu, reviving an alliance three years after the two parties separated ostensibly on the Sri Lanka Tamils issue.

“DMK and Congress have decided to form an alliance and work together for the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections,” senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad said in Chennai after meeting DMK president M Karunanidhi at his residence.

Azad said the two parties had worked together in the past and would continue to do so now. He said, "We will form the next government". Asked whether this meant that the DMK had agreed on a coalition government, Azad said there was no need to discuss about coalition  government now. What is clear is that a DMK-led government will be formed in the State to overcome other parties.

Azad said they had not discussed number of seats and constituencies. Asked if the Congress would settle for fewer seats than during the 2011 alliance, Azad said the question was not whether the Congress would contest more or less seats this time. The main focus would be on forging a formidable alliance.

On whether the Congress would invite DMDK to join the alliance, Azad said the issue of adding more parties to the alliance was left to Karunanidhi.

He described the DMK as a dependable  ally with whom the Congress has had a long association. He said Karunanidhi was a senior political leader of the country.

DMK treasurer M K Stalin added that the two parties had decided to work together for the Assembly elections. They had not discussed number of seats or constituencies.

On whether he would invite DMDK to join the alliance, he said DMK president Karunanidhi had already invited Vijayakanth to join the alliance, and it is hoped he would respond suitably.

Azad was accompanied by AICC secretary in charge of Tamil Nadu, Mukul Wasnik, TNCC president EVKS Elangovan and CLP leader Gopinath.