The Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) will go it alone in the local body polls, party founder S. Ramadoss said on Monday.
“We have conveyed our decision to Viduthalai Chiruthaikal Katchi (VCK) leader Thol. Thirumavalavan, who is keen on joining hands with our party to face the election,” Dr. Ramadoss told The Hindu .
PMK president G.K. Mani and former Minister of State for Railways R. Velu met Mr. Thirumavalavan, who is undergoing treatment at Sri Ramachandra Medical College Hospital, Porur, and explained the reasons behind the PMK's decision to contest alone.
The VCK wanted to create an alliance by bringing together political parties on the platform of Tamil nationalism. Even the Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam led by Vaiko favoured the idea. However, the efforts have fallen through because of the PMK decision.
“This election will be fought purely on local issues and ideology has no role to play. DMK president M. Karunanidhi has also expressed similar views,” Dr. Ramadoss pointed out.
The PMK leader said that he had been saying that all parties should contest alone on their own strength and the local body polls had given an opportunity to prove his party's strength. “We can field as many candidates as possible and it will galvanise the party organisation and our party symbol will reach a wider section of the voters.”
He said that going it alone would not come in the way of the PMK working closely with the VCK on people's issues. Later, addressing a demonstration organised by his party in support of those on a fast against the Kudankulam Atomic Power Project, Dr. Ramadoss urged Chief Minister Jayalalithaa to visit the area end their struggle. “She should ensure that the project is decommissioned in view of the potential threat it poses to the people in those areas.
The Chief Minister should hold talks with the Centre to close down the atomic power plants in Kudankulam and Kalpakkam.”
PMK president G.K. Mani, who called on the protesters in Idinthakarai village, said the government should withdraw cases against them.
