Chennai: With just eight days left for counting of votes polled in the Lok Sabha elections, the political scene is getting hotter across the nation. And, in Tamilnadu, it is no different.
While the two major parties (AIADMK & DMK) are campaigning hard for the by-elections to four Assembly seats to be held 19 May, various developments in the DMK camp for the past few days have surprised many.
A day after Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekar Rao called on DMK president M K Stalin, party treasurer Durai Murugan rushed to Hyderabad to meet Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and TDP leader Chandrababu Naidu Tuesday.
On the same day, there was a war of words between State unit president of BJP Tamilisai Soundararajan and Stalin over allegations that the DMK was in touch with Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss post-poll alliance.
Interestingly, a few political pundits have predicted no majority for the BJP and Congress at the Centre. And they bet big on regional parties like Trinamool Congress (West Bengal), DMK (Tamilnadu), SP & BSP (UP), BJD (Orissa), TDP (AP), JD (S) in Karnataka, AAP (Delhi) to win more seats in their respective States.
They are confident that in such a scenario, efforts will be taken to form a Third Front by these parties, which may stake claim to form the government at the Centre, with the outside support of Congress.
Knowing the current situation well, Congress has called off the meeting of Opposition parties it convened 21 May to discuss the possibility of mustering support to form the next government, they add.
Though the DMK was the first to declare that Rahul Gandhi should be made the next Prime Minister, the recent developments in their camp suggest that they are not ruling out the possibility of joining the Third Front in case of a fractured mandate, says Subash, a political commentator.
It may be noted that days after naming Rahul for the PM post, Stalin attended a rally of Opposition parties sans Congress in West Bengal.
He adds, “DMK leaders meeting KCR and Chandrababu Naidu can also be seen as pressure tactic being applied by them on the Congress to convey how important their support is. It may help them get more ministerial berths if Rahul becomes Prime Minister.”
Tamilisai’s allegations against Stalin have surprised many. She alleged that the DMK chief was holding talks with three sides that include Rahul Gandhi, KCR and Narendra Modi. “They are speaking via someone, they are establishing a connection (with us),” she said.
AIADMK Minister D Jayakumar also said the DMK is sending out feelers to the BJP, seeking Cabinet berths.
However, Stalin was quick to deny the charges. Reacting to Tamilisai’s remarks, he announced that he will quit politics if the allegations that he is in talks with the BJP were proved true.
Stalin termed his meeting with KCR as courtesy call, while nothing has been said about Durai Murugan meeting Chandrababu Naidu.
Speaking to News Today, a senior DMK office-bearer, said, “Stalin always walks the talk. Our leader has categorically announced long back that a coalition government headed by the Congress will be formed and Rahul will be the Prime Minister. There is no room for any speculation.”
A few say, “Wait till 23 May, a lot of twists and turns will happen.”