Wednesday 13 February 2019

Lok Sabha election 2019: Vijayakanth's DMDK confirms talks with BJP, AIADMK

Vijayakanth's DMDK confirms talks with BJP, AIADMK
DMDK party leader Vijayakanth with his wife Premalatha. (File photo)

HIGHLIGHTS

  • DMDK the most sought-after party during elections: Party deputy secy
  • Will prepare report on alliance: Deputy secy LK Sudhish
  • Vijayakanth to announce decision by end of month: LK Sudhish
Tamil Nadu's DMDK party has confirmed it is holding talks with the ruling AIADMK and the BJP ahead of the general election. It says its leader, Vijayakanth, will announce its decision by the end of the month.
With 39 Lok Sabha seats, Tamil Nadu sends a sizeable contingent of MPs to the Lower House of Parliament. The DMDK (Desiya Murpoku Dravida Kazhagam) currently holds none of these seats, nor any of the 234 elected assembly seats.
The BJP is wooing the DMDK to forge a grand alliance expected to also include the AIADMK (All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam) and a number of other parties.
It is expected that the alliance will be finalised when Vijayakanth, who is recuperating in the US after receiving medical treatment, returns in two weeks.
The DMDK contested the 2014 general election as part of the BJP's rainbow coalition.
'MOST SOUGHT-AFTER PARTY'
LK Sudhish, the deputy secretary of the DMDK, has shown interest in running for office in the general election. The brother-in-law of Vijayakanth, Sudhish unsuccessfully contested the election to the Salem Lok Sabha seat in 2014.
"DMDK is the most sought-after party during elections. We are holding talks with AIADMK, BJP and a few more parties," he told reporters at the party office.
"We will prepare a report on [an] electoral alliance with potential allies. Party chief Vijayakanth will announce a decision by the end of this month," he said.
AIADMK, DMK BOTH WOO PMK
Both the AIADMK and the main opposition DMK party are wooing the Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK), and have begun informal talks with the outfit -- a strong player in the North and West Tamil Nadu belt of the Vanniyar community.
The PMK contested nine seats in the 2014 election as part of the NDA, but only its leader -- Anbumani Ramadoss -- won.

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