The Chief Minister, Jayalalithaa, on Tuesday had an impromptu meeting with the general secretary of the Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, Vaiko, on the Old Mahabalipuram Road and exchanged pleasantries with the latter, who is on a padayatra demanding total prohibition in Tamil Nadu.
The informal meeting is likely to assuage the bitter feelings that erutped between the two leaders over seat-sharing for the 2011 Assembly elections.
Mr Vaiko’s MDMK stayed away from contesting elections after the two parties failed to reach an understanding.
The Chief Minister spotted Mr Vaiko when he was heading towards Payyanur from Tiruporur, the temple town in Kancheepuram district. She was on her way to Siruthavur after inaugurating budget restaurants of the Chennai Corporation.
Mr Vaiko said that he noticed Ms. Jayalalithaa directing the driver to stop the car and before he could reach the car, she had stepped out.
He said that Ms. Jayalalithaa asked him “Are you fine? Why are you straining yourself so much?” He also inquired about her health.
Objective of march
When she asked him about the objective of long walk, Mr Vaiko explained that he wanted total prohibition in the State.
