Tamil Nadu CM Stalin to attend INDIA bloc leaders' meet on June 1, speculations rife on PM candidate

CHENNAI: Chief Minister MK Stalin is likely to leave for New Delhi on June 1 to attend the meeting of the INDIA bloc leaders. The opposition leaders are expected to assess their performance and the strategy required to be adopted to keep the flock together after the June 4 counting for the Parliamentary polls.

With predictions suggesting a change of regime at the Centre and also a third term for Modi, the meeting happening on the day in which the seven-phase polls ends could be INDIA bloc’s show of strength. More so when West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC leader Mamata Banerjee has chosen to abstain from the meeting owing to the elections in her state and the cyclone predictions.

CM Stalin, who was also instrumental in retaining some fence sitters in the bloc, could play a pivotal role in sustaining the unity of the opposition alliance.

DMK office-bearers meeting

Meanwhile, the DMK has called for a meeting of its district secretaries and booth-level workers to work out the strategies it is required to adopt for the counting day. A release issued by DMK general secretary Duraimurugan on Tuesday advised the district secretaries, chief agents and counting centre agents of the party for a virtual consultation, which would be chaired by party organising secretary RS Bharathi at 11am Saturday.

DMK legal wing secretary and senior advocate NR Elango would offer suggestions to the district secretaries and agents on the procedures and rules to be adhered to by them on the counting day.