DMDK calls emergency meet on alliance, Rajinikanth factor likely cause

On Friday, Premalatha Vijayakant said that the party was likely to contest the coming assembly polls alone while addressing media at a private function in Theni. Earlier too, Vijaya Prabhakaran, son of DMDK Founder Vijayakant, expressed the same opinion. Sources said that the denial of permission for DMDK Treasurer Premalatha to enter a relief camp in Sattanadhapuram village near Sirkazhi recently citing the visit of Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami has added fuel to the fire. “All district secretaries have been asked to participate in the meeting to discuss vote base and ground reality for DMDK across the State. Based on inputs from them, party top brass will take a call on alliance with the AIADMK,” said a top DMDK functionary.

Congress sources pointed out that the DMDK was also holding talks with the DMK over a possible alliance. A senior Congress leader revealed that talks were on between the two parties in this regard, but was tight-lipped on other details. According to political commentators, DMDK is sending an indirect signal to the AIADMK to avoid Rajinikanth so as to continue their alliance. “DMDK does not want to bring in the Rajini factor while bargaining for seats in the alliance and hence the disinclination towards the actor,” said political analyst Raveenthran Duraisamy.

When asked about the impact of Rajinikanth contesting polls, top DMDK leader Sudhish claimed, “We (DMDK) are confident that Rajinikanth will not enter politics and even if he does it will not create any impact on DMDK. Rajnikanth, on several occasions has shown indications of entering politics, but has not done much,” said Sudhish.