Reiterating that it would lead an alternative front to the DMK and the ruling AIADMK in the run-up to the 2016 Assembly polls, the executive committee of the Paatali Makkal Katchi (PMK) on Thursday unanimously decided to project former Union Minister Anbumani Ramadoss as its Chief Ministerial candidate.
While PMK president G.K. Mani set the tone for the meeting, Mr Anbumani said Tamil Nadu was witnessing a situation akin to that in 1967 when the people removed the Congress and paved way for Dravidian parties’ rule.
“Actually the situation is worse than in 1967. We must make use of the people’s aspirations for a change and provide a credible alternative,” he said. Mr Anbumani said that while the odds were stacked against the AIADMK’s consolidation with the disqualification of its leader and former Chief Minister Jayalalithaa after the Bengaluru court verdict in a wealth case, the DMK facing the 2G case was also in no position to make a comeback.
He charged that there was not governance in Tamil Nadu as Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam was not able to take any decision. “Only advisors rule the State and people are already disenchanted with the rule,” he said.
Mr Anbumani contended that that the PMK alone was in a position to provide the change, as neither the Congress, now a divided house, nor the BJP with no presence in the State, nor the DMDK, led by Mr Vijayakant, was in a position to fill the political vacuum. The PMK founder, S. Ramadoss, lambasting the AIADMK for the “all pervasive corruption” in government departments, made it clear that his party would not move close to the DMK.
He also sought to dispel the impression that the presence of DMK leader M. Karunanidhi and Treasurer M.K. Stalin at the marriage of his granddaughter could not be construed as beginning of the coming together of the two parties. A resolution in support of the executive’s decision is likely to be adopted at PMK’s general council meeting on Friday.
BJP stance
Senior leaders of the BJP said the question of Chief Ministerial candidate of the NDA in Tamil Nadu, of which the PMK is a constituent, would arise only at the time of polls. The decision would be taken after due deliberations with allies.
