The efforts of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to stitch together a rainbow alliance in Tamil Nadu seem to have received a setback with Pattali Makkal Katchi’s reported reservations over tying up with Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK) led by actor Vijayakant.
PMK leader S. Ramadoss and his son Anbumani Ramadoss have made it clear to the BJP leadership that they would not join hands with Mr Vijayakant as it might go against their political interest in the State, particularly in northern Tamil Nadu.
The meeting between leaders of the BJP and the PMK took place a week ago in Chennai. The BJP was represented by its State president Pon Radhakrishnan, senior leader L. Ganesan and all India general secretary Muralidhar Rao. The PMK leaders, however, said they would not mind the Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK) in the alliance.
The PMK argues that its interests ‘overlap’ with the DMDK's in many areas in northern Tamil Nadu. And in any case the base of the actor-turned-politician has eroded over the years, what with many MLAs switching their loyalty to the ruling AIADMK. The question of alliance with the BJP is likely to come up for discussion at the general council meeting of the PMK slated for January 2 in Chennai. Besides State-level leaders of the PMK, Vanniyar Sangam and other organisations affiliated to the PMK will participate in the general council meeting. The party has also decided to felicitate the partymen who were arrested in the wake of the Marakkanam riots.
Gandhiya Makkal Iyakkam founder Tamilaruvi Manian, who is facilitating the alliance between the BJP and other parties, said the formation would take a concrete shape only after Pongal.
“Many organisations in the Kongu region are keen on joining the BJP alliance. I am in touch with Mr Vijayakant. But he will take a decision only in the Tamil month of Thai. The participation of others is more or less confirmed. I will see to it that Mr Vijayakant joins the alliance’’, he said.
