Chennai, Sept 15:
DMK parliamentary party leader Kanimozhi Karunanidhi’s meetings with key regional leaders have triggered speculation that the party is exploring a broader national coalition of regional parties beyond the BJP-Congress binary.
Kanimozhi met Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray at his residence in Mumbai and later held discussions in Delhi with NCP (SP) leader Sharad Pawar and Lok Sabha member Supriya Sule. The meetings reportedly focused on the defeat of the Constitution Amendment Bill on delimitation, the Congress’ approach towards the BJP and the future of the INDIA bloc.
The discussions also centred on the concerns of southern States and the need for greater coordination among regional and smaller parties over delimitation. The outreach has fuelled speculation that the DMK could be seeking political space for regional parties independent of both the BJP and the Congress.
Kanimozhi’s meeting with Uddhav assumes significance as the Shiv Sena (UBT) leader has differences with the Congress in Maharashtra. The DMK’s decision to boycott the anti-delimitation meeting convened in Chennai under Vijay, while the Congress participated, had already highlighted differences among Opposition parties on the issue.
Kanimozhi is also expected to reach out to other regional leaders, including Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav, according to the report.