All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) general secretary Jayalalithaa on Friday made serious efforts to mollify her unhappy allies by establishing direct contact with leaders of these parties. There was a flurry of activity in the party's office and later at Ms. Jayalalithaa's Poes Garden residence.
In the course of the day, the AIADMK allocated constituencies to smaller parties. —All India Samathuva Makkal Katchi was allotted Nanguneri and Tenkasi; Manithaneya Makkal Katchi will field its three candidates from Chepauk-Tiruvallikeni, Ambur and Ramanathapuram; while the Republican Party of India (Tamilarasan) group will contest from KV Kuppam (Reserved) constituency. The All India Moovendar Munnani Kazhagam was allotted Tiruchuzhi and the Kongu Ilaingnar Peravai will field its candidate in Paramathivelur. Usilampatti went to All India Forward Bloc.
The day began with separate meetings between AIADMK and leaders of other parties at an undisclosed location. Later, Communist Party of India (CPI) State deputy secretaries C. Mahendran and G. Palanichamy visited the AIADMK party office and held discussions with the latter's election panel comprising O. Panneerselvam, K.A. Sengottaiyan and Pollachi V. Jayaraman.
Emerging from the talks, Mr. Mahendran said, “The talks were extremely cordial. We are in a position to reach an agreement soon.” He blamed the media for floating talk of a ‘third front' and said, “There is no scope for a third front.” In the second phase of the day's developments, alliance leaders came to Ms. Jayalalithaa's residence one after another in the evening. CPI State secretary D. Pandian, CPI (M) State secretary G. Ramakrishnan and other leaders T.K. Rengarajan and K. Balakrishnan were also in talks with her for a long time. DMDK presidium chairman Panruti S. Ramachandran and youth wing secretary L.K. Sudheesh called on Ms. Jayalalithaa at her residence.
MDMK led by Vaiko has called for a high level committee meeting on Saturday.
