The local body elections are likely to witness multi-cornered contests with many parties entering the fray banking on their own strength instead of being part of an alliance.
The DMK and the Congress, partners in the UPA government at the Centre, have already announced their decision to go it alone, explaining that “local body polls do not require any political ideology.”
MDMK general secretary Vaiko announced in Madurai on Saturday that his party would go it alone. Mr. Vaiko was with the AIADMK front before he fell out with its leadership over the allocation of seats for the Assembly elections.
The Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK), which was part of the DMK-led alliance in the Assembly elections, has declared that it would not align with Dravidian parties in the future.
Though PMK founder S. Ramadoss has been saying that he was ready to work closely with parties such as the Viduthalai Chiruthaikal Katchi (VCK), he is yet to make up his mind on an alliance for the local body polls.
The VCK leaders have sought time to meet PMK leaders for a possible tie-up. “We feel that political parties wedded to the ideology of Tamil nationalism can come together. We are awaiting word from Dr. Ramadoss. We hope we will get a reply on Sunday,” a VCK leader told The Hindu .
The PMK leader, an advocate of proportionate representation for political parties, however feels that local body elections could be an opportunity to prove its strength besides galvanising the organisation. Contesting as many seats as possible will ensure that more party workers get a chance to be in fray and, in the process, the organisation will revive itself.
In Chennai, BJP State president Pon. Randhakrishnan welcomed the decision of many parties to face the elections individually saying this would provide voters an opportunity to assess them.
Only the AIADMK front is holding talks among themselves to finalise seats-sharing arrangements. The CPI (M) and the CPI had one round of talks with the AIADMK leadership. Another ally, the Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK) also held parleys with AIADMK leaders.
AIADMK general secretary Jayalalithaa has announced her party's candidates for 52 municipalities in the State. The municipalities are in Kancheepuram, Tiruvallur, Vellore, Tiruvannamalai, Cuddalore, Salem, Erode, Tirupur, Theni and Sivagangai districts.
There are 125 municipalities in 32 districts.
