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Unhappy over what they termed the raw deal meted out to them in allocation of constituencies, the allies of the AIADMK, barring the MDMK led by Mr Vaiko, held discussions on Thursday to chalk out a future plan of action, including a proposal to launch a third front.
This rebellious move forced the AIADMK General Secretary, Ms Jayalalithaa, to postpone her election campaign slated for Friday.
In a statement here, the AIADMK announced that she could not go ahead with plan since seat-sharing talks with the alliance partners were not yet over.
Sources said the AIADMK leaders had contacted the alliance leaders in an attempt to mollify them.
On Thursday morning the two Left parties, the Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK) led by actor Mr Vijayakant; the Puthiya Tamizhagam President, Dr K. Krishnasamy; and the All India Moovendhar Munnetra Munnani leader, Dr N. Sethuraman, were among those who participated in the meeting.
When asked whether he had any plans to float a third front Mr Vijayakant said, “Don't be in a hurry. We are continuing our discussion. We will let you know our decision on Friday.”
The CPI State Secretary, Mr D. Pandian, refused to give a direct reply to a question on the formation of a third front. “We are committed to defeat and remove the DMK-Congress combine. We are together in our effort,” he said.
Asked whether he was ready for a compromise with the AIADMK, he retorted saying, “If you are interested you can go.”
Dr Sethuraman hinted that a third front would not be in the interest of the alliance partners. “It will lead to the victory of the DMK in the elections,” he said.
The leaders who were part of the discussion said they were under tremendous pressure from the rank and file of the parties to form a third front since the AIADMK leadership had humiliated them.
“We don't mind her releasing the list of constituencies the AIADMK is planning to contest. But she should have held back the list of constituencies sought by the alliance partners. This has been done when we are still holding talks to finalise an agreement,” a leader said.
Another leader said, “We were totally shocked by the announcement. We want to make her the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. But she is behaving in a way that is unbelievable.”
The leaders said the DMDK was also upset because many of the constituencies from its wish list was not allotted to it.
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