Political parties that participated in the all-party meeting called by the DMK last month denied that it was a precursor to a possible electoral alliance in 2019. At the same time, one couldn’t miss the fact that the parties renewed their commitment to oppose the BJP, which they accused of fomenting religious hatred, implementing anti-people policies and eroding the State’s rights.
While a few intellectuals and parties (which did not participate) dismissed the all-party meeting as nothing more than an ‘electoral alliance’ devoid of any ideological content because of the presence of several quasi-caste outfits [Kongunadu Makkal Desiya Katchi and Forward Bloc], several political party leaders say that the BJP had already cobbled together a strong alliance with the ruling party and several caste factions. “It is the DMK which is lagging behind in taking this alliance forward,” said a political party leader.
While VCK general secretary D. Ravikumar reiterated that there was no need to consider his party’s participation as a nod for an alliance, he underlined the VCK’s position that any opposition to Hindutva shouldn’t be just about opposing religious fundamentalism; it should also counter caste mobilisation against the Dalit community.
“This is our party’s stand. This is why we can never be in an alliance with parties that profess caste politics,” said Ravikumar. He added, “It depends. There is a very strong pro-PMK lobby within the DMK, which would prefer the PMK rather than the VCK. The DMK is the bigger party here and they would have to take the call on whether they want us in or not.”
DMK spokesperson Prasanna, however, said: “The DMK has stated its ideological opposition to the BJP clearly. Any party that is willing to adhere to that position is welcome to join. We will take everyone along like we did in 1996,” he said.
Human rights and Dalit-rights activist A. Kathir, who runs ‘Evidence’, said that unless Dalit parties are given prominence in this fight against Hindu-fundamentalism, any alliance would remain insincere. “There is no denying that BJP’s religious fundamentalism is a problem. But, without bringing all Dalit parties and leaders into its fold, it would merely be an electoral alliance,” said Kathir.
Pattali Makkal Katchi spokesperson K. Balu laughed off DMK’s attempt at finding a secular alliance against the BJP. “If there is one party that has stuck to its ideological position of opposing the AIADMK and the DMK, it has been the PMK,” he said.
‘Question of survival’
BJP spokesperson K.T. Raghavan dismissed the notion that the BJP has already identified allies as mere ‘speculation’. “This is a question of survival for the DMK after losing 3 major elections since 2011. But the people will reject it. The alliance is made up of ‘smaller parties’ that fought and failed and have already lost their relevance,” he said.
