Nehru fuels speculation of more parties joining DMK alliance

Talking to reporters at the party headquarters Anna Arivalayam on Friday, Nehru said that more parties may join or not join, but they were determined about the existing alliance.

Reacting to a specific query about the PMK or DMDK joining the DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance (SPA), a reticent Nehru who initially said that he doesn’t know, added that “Anything can happen in an election. They might come or we might continue with the same alliance. We are determined in continuing with his alliance.” Nehru was only the latest DMK leader to fuel speculations about accommodating more parties in the alliance after party general secretary Duraimurugan had publicly admitted a few months ago that parties could join or leave their alliance ahead of the ensuing Assembly elections.

Nehru was quick to add that their alliance could not be disturbed. “Our alliance cannot be disturbed. No one can create disharmony in the alliance. Our leader will decide. People like me should not comment on that,” he said, parrying a query about the recent statement of Congress leaders that they would be realistic and not drive a hard bargain with the DMK for 2021.

When asked about the statement of BJP leaders that Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s visit to the state could frighten regional party leaders, a sarcastic Nehru said, “If the AIADMK Ministers say they would not fear any one, would we? Why will we fear anyone? We have nothing to fear.” Dismissing BJP’s Vel Yatra, the DMK principal secretary added, “In MGR’s rule, our leader Kalaignar walked 120 kms to find the missing Vel in Tirunchendur. They are conducting the Yatra to develop their party (BJP). Why should we respond to it? We are launching a campaign to strengthen our party.”

On the Congress opposing the release of Perarivalan among the Rajiv convicts, Nehru said, “DMK is for their release. All Tamils want them to be released.”