In a major shift from its policy of going it alone in elections, the actor-politician Vijaykant’s DMDK on Saturday said it was open for alliances with other parties which are committed to the development of Tamil Nadu.
Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam, whose candidates put up a poor show forfeiting deposits in the recently held by-polls to Tiruchendur and Vandavasi assembly seats, authorised its founder Vijaykant to hold discussions with the leaders of other parties in this regard.
Without specifying any party, a political resolution passed at its General Council meeting said DMDK would align with parties which were committed to working for the development of the state.
The party polled over eight per cent votes in the 2006 Assembly polls and the subsequent Lok Sabha polls by going it alone, a factor largely presumed to have damaged the prospects of oppoistion AIADMK by splitting the votes in favour of ruling DMK.
DMDK, which doggedly pursued its independent line, spurning offers of alliance from other parties ever since Vijaykant entered politics in 2005, had been facing an erosion in its vote in subsequent polls in the state.
Mr. Vijaykant, who alone managed to get elected to the assembly despite contesting all the 234 seats, had been maintaining that his alliance was only with the people and not with any political parties.
