DMDK dissidents launch new outfit; ready to work with the DMK

The DMDK faction led by propaganda secretary and MLA V.C. Chandhirakumar and two MLAs, S.R. Parthipan and C.H. Sekar, launched a new outfit Makkal Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (MDMDK) on Sunday. A total of ten district secretaries who were also expelled from the DMDK also attended the meeting.

"It is not a political outfit, but a movement seeking to remove the anti-people AIADMK regime and defeat MDMK general secretary Vaiko, who is conducting the People's Welfare Front (PWF) as AIADMK's B team," said Mr. Chandhirakumar, while making it clear that the movement was not interested either in breaking the DMDK or make claim over the party symbol.

Asked whether the MDMDK would align with the DMK in the Assembly elections, he said, "We are ready to work with the DMK if party leader M. Karunanidhi and treasurer M.K. Stalin invite us."

"But till this hour we have not received any call from the DMK," he added.

Addressing a meeting with a portrait of Mr. Vijayakant adorning the backdrop, Mr. Chandhirakumar said he and other office-bearers would dissolve the outfit and quit politics permanently if DMDK founder Vijayakant came forward to align with the DMK.

Though Mr. Chandhirakumar and others held Vijyakant's wife Premalaltha and Mr. Vaiko responsible for the present state of affair, they also accused Mr. Vijayakant of failing to lead the party in right direction.

Mr. Parthipan said on March 23 when the DMDK joined hands with the PWF a total of 15 MLAs and district secretaries met secretly and 12 of the MLAs spoke in derogatory terms against Mr. Vijayakant. "But they are now with Mr Vijayakant and we have the recordings of their speech. But we will not stoop to the level of making their speech public," he said.

Mr. Sekar said when he and other MLAs advocated an alliance with the DMK so that the party could win the election, Ms. Premalatha vetoed their arguments, saying that the party was launched to see Mr. Vijayakant sitting in the Chief Minister chair and not to elect a few MLAs.

Mr. Chandhirakumar said more MLAs and district secretaries would join their outfit. "We will function effectively till the elections are over. A future course of action will be taken after the election," he said.