DMDK forms third front with People Welfare Front in TN
Updated by admin on
Wednesday, March 23, 2016 11:32 AM IST
Chennai:
The DMK on March 23 received a major set-back as the Vijayakanth-led DMDK announced the formation of a third front with the four-party People's Welfare Front (PWF) for the May 2016 Assembly elections in Tamil Nadu.
The PWF leaders called on Vijayakanth at the latter's party office in Chennai and finalised an alliance. Vijayakanth is expected to be the leader of the front and its chief ministerial candidate -- two pre-conditions of the DMDK which have been accepted by the PWF constituents -- MDMK, CPI, CPM and VCK.
The Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK) on Wednesday formally entered into an electoral alliance with the People's Welfare Front.
An official statement said the DMDK will contest 124 seats and the rest will go to the other parties. DMDK president Vijayakant will be projected as the chief ministerial candidate of the front.
The DMK had earlier hoped that though Vijayakanth had stated that his party would go it alone when DMK circles claimed that the two parties had virtually clinched a deal and that a formal agreement remained to be signed. DMK president M Karunanidhi had even stated that "the fruit (ties between the DMK and DMDK) was ripening and that the only thing that remained was when it would fall into the milk (DMK-led alliance). The DMK interpreted that stand as mere posturing and that it was still hopeful of an alliance. Two days ago, Karunanidhi had maintained that talks were still on between the two parties and that an alliance could fructify. However, DMK treasurer M K Stalin said this was a case of minsterpreting Karunanidhi's statement and clarified that there were no talks between the two sides, and that Karunanidhi had merely reiterated that the party had already invited DMDK to its alliance and that it was still valid.
The Wednesday meeting between the MNF and DMDK leaders, however, has scotched all speculation about the DMDK future, and has paved the way for the formation of a powerful third front. The third front is hopeful that the G K Vasan-led Tamil Maanila Congress (TMC) would also join the front and increase the victory prospects of the front's candidates.
