DMK calls for platinum jubilee rally of allies in Kancheepuram on Sept 28

CHENNAI: Attempting to demonstrate the unity of the INDIA bloc headed by the party in Tamil Nadu in the backdrop of a seeming friction with the VCK, the ruling DMK on Wednesday announced a party meeting involving its allies in Kancheepuram on September 28 on account of its platinum jubilee celebration.

Coming in the backdrop of one of its key allies, VCK, proposing a share in power (government) in the future and 'inviting' rival AIADMK for the anti-liquor conference to be held shortly, the DMK also included VCK president Thol Thirumavalavan in the list of 20 alliance leaders who would speak at the rally to be presided over by DMK general secretary Duraimurugan and graced by Chief Minister M K Stalin.

According to an announcement issued by the DMK Wednesday, all allies of the DMK, including Makkal Neethi Maiam leader actor Kamal Hassan, who joined the DMK fold just ahead of the recent Parliamentary polls, would attend the rally.

The rally is perceived as a show of strength by the DMK, which is also intent on reiterating the harmony of the alliance that was tested after Thiruma's friendly approach towards actor Vijay's TVK and the party's recent overtures to a relatively friendless AIADMK, which dutifully embraced the idea and called it winds of change.

The rally could also help the Dravidian major bury the hatchet, if any, with its allies, and revive the ties besides resolving its commitment to fight the communal agenda of the BJP and their ilk, criticism of whom has been quite sparse from the DMK of late. DK president K Veeramani, state secretaries of both left parties, Congress state president K Selvaperunthagai, MDMK leader Vaiko, IUML leader Khader Mohideen and MMK leader M H Jawahirullah would be among the leaders attending the Kancheepuram rally.