DMDK will go it alone for TN Assembly polls: Vijayakanth

Chennai: DMDK leader Vijayakanth on March 10 dealt a severe blow to several suitors like the DMK, BJP and MNF at one stroke by declaring that his party would go it alone in the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections.

Scotching speculation that he was close to a tie-up with the DMK, Vijayakanth, addressing the party's women's wing celebrations of Women's Day at Royapettah in Chennai, Vijayakanth blasted rumour-mongers who said he was bargaining for an alliance with the DMK or any other party. He repeated thrice that his party would not align with any one and that it would go it alone in the Assembly elections.

Yesterday, DMK president M Karunanidhi, commenting on the possibility of an alliance between the two parties, said the fruit was ripening but it was not known when the fruit will land in the milk bowl. Vijayakanth in a firm and decisive mood, said there was no question of his party having alliance with this party or that, and he wondered why there was speculation about this, and a wrong impression was created that he was bargaining or seeking some favours.

His decison has come as a big shock and a dampener to the DMK hopes of coming back to power. The Congress which also had put its hopes on a strong alliance includng the DMK and DMDK.

Vijayakanth said too many rumours had been spread about the party’s position on alliance over the last three months. “I will contest alone. I thank those who invited me to their alliances,” he declared. Denying that he had negotiated with any political party, as reported in sections of the media, he said, “Some said crores of money had changed hands. What do you say now? I reiterate that we will contest this election alone.”

A seven-member committee, headed by party youth wing secretary L.K. Sudheesh, will finalise the candidates list for all 234 constituencies. The party also released its manifesto.

Towards the end of the meeting, Vijayakanth’s wife Premalatha said parties which shared Captain's views, could talk to him on working together.

Launched in September 2005, the DMDK contested the 2006 Assembly elections alone and secured over 8 per cent vote share.

This went up to 10.3 per cent in 2009 Parliamentary elections. In 2011, the party aligned with the AIADMK and won 29 seats, making it the main opposition in the Assembly.

Premalatha, speaking at the meeting, hit out at both the AIADMK and the DMK, accusing them of encouraging corruption in administration.

“The DMDK was formed as an alternative to the AIADMK and the DMK. It is true we aligned with the AIADMK in 2011. But the moment our leader realised the government was initiating anti-government policies, he quit the alliance. Our aim is to drive the two parties out of Tamil Nadu,” she added.

Premalatha also took exception to the media's "news plants” of the DMK.