The four-party People’s Welfare Front was on Monday formally declared an electoral alliance, making the upcoming Assembly elections a sure multi-cornered contest.
Addressing a press conference here, MDMK general secretary Vaiko said campaign against corruption would be the main plank of the front, the first alliance to emerge for the 2016 elections.
“The DMK and the AIADMK are two sides of the same coin,” he asserted, flanked by CPI(M) State secretary G. Ramakrishnan, VCK president Thol. Thirumavalavan and CPI State secretary R. Mutharasan.
Mr. Vaiko said that for decades, the people of Tamil Nadu had indulged in “negative voting” as there was no alternative to the two principal Dravidian parties. With the emergence of the PWF, a credible change has been ushered in. “The disproportionate assets case against Chief Minister Jayalalithaa is pending before the Supreme Court. But, the DMK cannot be the alternative as family members of party chief M. Karunanidhi are embroiled in the 2G spectrum scam,” he pointed out.
The four parties would remain the core of the PWF and work together beyond the Assembly elections. For the upcoming polls though, other like-minded parties were welcome to join the front, Mr. Vaiko said.
However, he said there would be no truck with the DMK, the AIADMK, the BJP and the Congress and also the PMK, which banks only on caste politics for its survival.
Mr. Vaiko claimed there was a concerted campaign against the PWF, with some stating that the parties would not stick together for long. Such speculations can end now as a formal commitment has been made.
Taking a dig at DMK treasurer M.K. Stalin, he said some were holding roadshows ahead of the elections. But, leaders of the PWF have always been with the people.
