The voice of former Union Minister Anbumani seems to have prevailed in the PMK as the party is likely to clinch a deal with the BJP for the Lok Sabha polls.
A PMK source said a reluctant party founder S. Ramadoss gave in after Dr. Anbumani reasoned with his father for the need for winning elections to sustain the party organisation.
Dr. Ramadoss, though not averse to the idea of joining the BJP alliance, could not bring himself to the reality of co-existing with Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK).
“Finally he left it to Dr. Anbumani to hold talks with the BJP for seat-sharing. It is not just Dr. Anbumani. All the 10 candidates the PMK announced so far have argued in favour of an alliance,” the PMK source added.
A meeting between the leaders of the PMK and the BJP is likely to take place when the party’s national secretary visits Chennai on January 30. The PMK has already announced candidates for 10 constituencies, including Salem, Krishnagiri, Arakkonam, Arani, Chidambaram, Cuddalore, Tiruvannamalai, Myladuthurai and Villupuram. “We are firm on contesting in 10 seats, but ready for a compromise on constituency,” the PMK sources further said.
In Chennai, the BJP State president Pon. Radhakrishnan also confirmed that talks with PMK were progressing.
