Stalin for a new ‘broad alliance’ against AIADMK

DMK treasurer M.K. Stalin

Seeking to turn the strident anti-AIADMK stand of the Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK), the Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK) and the Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK) in his party’s favour, DMK treasurer M.K. Stalin has hinted at a broad alliance led by his party against the ruling party in the 2016 Assembly polls.

But it is not yet clear whether leaders of these parties, nurturing their own ambition in State politics, will reciprocate positively to Mr. Stalin’s plans.

Both PMK leader Dr. S. Ramadoss and DMDK leader Vijayakant are keen on projecting their respective parties as an alternative to the DMK and the AIADMK in the next Assembly polls. The PMK, now part of the BJP-headed NDA alliance at the Centre, is nonetheless talking about leading a front in the State.

Even as he recalled the pro-DMK stand taken by the DMDK in the Assembly when his party was under attack in the House by the ruling party, Mr Stalin was appreciative of the roles of Dr. Ramadoss and MDMK general secretary Vaiko.

“They speak up for us when we were subjected to oppression in the Assembly and in a similar manner, we also lent our support to them. I hope a change preferred by the people of Tamil Nadu will happen,” said Mr Stalin in a freewheeling chat in ‘Akkini Paritchai,’ broadcast by ‘Puthiya Thalaimurai’ channel.

Mr. Stalin said it was Dr. Ramadoss who first advocated the idea of “making me the deputy chief minister” to lessen the burden of Mr. Karunanidhi when the DMK was in power.

Mr. Stalin also lauded Dr. Ramadoss’ friendly attitude towards other political parties and leaders, while pointing out the recent meeting between him and Mr. Karunanidhi.

Nothing against Vaiko

He also made it clear that there was no personal animosity between him and Mr. Vaiko, who left the DMK to launch MDMK, complaining that the DMK had sidelined him. “When he was arrested under POTA, our leader visited him in the Poonamalle court. I also congratulated him after he was acquitted,” he said.

Mr. Stalin, however, refused to comment on his relationship with his brother, M.K. Alagiri, saying, that he was no longer a party man as he was expelled from the DMK for anti-party activities.