The DMK would contest alone in the Lok Sabha polls while retaining its existing allies, party president M. Karunanidhi said on Tuesday.
Talking to reporters he said the DMK would steer clear of both the Congress and the BJP and go to the polls along with its other allies.
Asked about BJP’s spokesperson Nirmala Seetharaman’s statement that her party was ready to consider an offer from the DMK for an alliance, he said the DMK had not taken any decision on inviting the BJP.
Even while addressing the general council meeting on Sunday, Mr. Karunanidhi said though a committee had been formed to take a decision on alliance, the members of the committee should take into account that the BJP today was totally different from what it was when headed by former Prime Minister A.B. Vajpayee.
Today, besides Viduthalai Chiruthaikal Katchi (VCK), the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) is part of the DMK alliance in Tamil Nadu. The Manithaneya Makkal Katchi (MMK) and the Puthiya Tamizhagam, led by Dr. Krishnasamy, also voted for DMK candidate Kanimozhi in the Rajya Sabha polls. The DMK is also keen on roping in actor Vijayakant’s Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK). But the actor-turned-politician continues to be elusive, DMK sources said.
Asked about IUML leader K.M. Kader Mohideen’s announcement that a third front headed by the DMK would be formed, Mr. Karunanidhi said he was happy to hear about it.
Reacting to TNCC president B.S. Ganandesikan’s remarks that the Congress had been functioning independently since the DMK quit the UPA in March and that the Congress had not written to the DMK seeking its participation in an alliance, Mr. Karunanidhi said his statements explained the reason behind the DMK’s decision to snap ties with the Congress.
Lokpal Bill Asked whether the DMK would support the Lokpal Bill in Parliament, he said the DMK’s Parliamentary party leader T.R. Baalu had been briefed about the issue.
Mr. Kader Mohideen, who earlier met Mr Karunanidhi, said there was no basis for the assumption that the DMK could go with the BJP.
“Mr. Karunanidhi in the general council meeting had made it clear that his party’s relationship with the BJP was over after the days of former Prime Minister Vajpayee’s leadership,” he said.
He also made it clear that the parting of ways of the DMK and the Congress would not be a hurdle to the IUML, which is part of the UPA government at the Centre, to ally with the DMK in Tamil Nadu.
“Alliances are formed at the State level’’, he said.
“In Kerala, we are part of the Congress alliance and here we are with the DMK,” Mr. Kader Mohideen further said.
