Chennai: Temperatures are rising with each passing day not only because summer is close but also due to political plays and parleys that continue even as the Lok Sabha election dates are yet to be announced.
A day after Superstar Rajinikanth and DMK president M K Stalin headed towards Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK) chief Vijayakanth’s house to meet him to ‘enquire about his health’, the ruling AIADMK today said alliance talks are continuing with the DMDK.
An official statement from the AIADMK high command stated that the alliance that has been formed is worthy of saving the country and likened it to that of former chief minister J Jayalalithaa’s 1998 victorious alliance. The party also said its political journey will continue to give importance to secularism, women empowerment, protection of economy and the rise of Tamils.
Fisheries Minister D Jayakumar told mediapersons that talks were going on smoothly with the DMDK and there was no deadlock at the moment. He also stated that the alliance under AIADMK has turned out to be an alliance that is mega, natural and for the welfare of people. He also quoted ‘Naadum Namathey, Narpathum Namathey’ during his meet with mediapersons this morning.
KUSHBOO TAKE
Congress spokesperson Kushboo said Vijayakanth must be the one to take a decision on the alliance.
DINNER DATE
Yesterday, and only days after inking a poll pact with the AIADMK, Pattali Makkal Katchi founder, Dr S Ramadoss, hosted a dinner at his farmhouse at Thailapuram for Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami and his Cabinet colleagues.
The PMK chief had his first meeting with the ruling party top brass after the agreement and discussed poll preparations over dinner.
AIADMK signed a poll deal 19 February with the PMK allocating it seven Lok Sabha seats and one Rajya Sabha nomination in the current year. It gave five seats to the BJP.
Besides Palaniswami, AIADMK coordinator and Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam, ministers including P Thangamani, S P Velumani, C Ve Shanmugam and K P Anbalagan were present at the sprawling farmhouse.
Leaders of both parties refrained from making any comments about the deliberations.
MADURAI MEET
Panneerselvam also met briefly with BJP president Amit Shah during his visit to Madurai yesterday.
STALIN AT GRAM SABHA
DMK president M K Stalin raised suspicion if the ruling party will conduct by-polls for the 21 Assembly constituencies that are vacant in the State. He said this at a gram sabha meeting organised by his party at Thorapalli village, near Hosur.
Stalin’s gram sabha talk means, according to sources, his party will not speak about Lok Sabha alliances for the next two days.