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The Vijayakant-led DMDK’s decision to align with the People’s Welfare Front negates the party’s years of hard work fighting the ruling AIADMK and weakens the chances of the Opposition in the Tamil Nadu elections, said expelled party MLA VC Chandrakumar.
Interacting with BusinessLine ahead of the dissident group’s meeting with DMK President M Karunanidhi and Treasurer MK Stalin, Chandrakumar said the DMDK, which had been the principal Opposition party in the outgoing Assembly, had continuously highlighted the shortfalls of the AIADMK government within the House and among the public.
“There is a strong anti-incumbency sentiment among the people and this could be effective in bringing about a change in government only if the opposition is strong,” he said.
“However, the DMDK leader Vijayakant, who harbours ambitions of becoming Chief Minister, has allied with the PWF. How can such a strategy be viable?” he wondered. “The Congress, for instance, has allied well to improve its chances.”.
The PWF, which comprises Vaiko’s MDMK, the two Left parties and the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal, only weakens the Opposition against the AIADMK, he felt.
Later in the evening, the 10-member dissident group including Chandrakumar, who has floated the MDMDK, joined the DMK.
Few remainA prominent member of the DMDK who has shifted loyalties pointed out that of the 40 candidates who contested the Parliamentary elections in 2009 when the party stood alone, only six are left with it.
Of the 29 MLAs who made it the principal opposition in the Tamil Nadu Assembly in 2011, more than one-third had exited. This is primarily due to the lack of proper internal organisation and direction, he felt.
Traditionally, the elections to the State and Centre in Tamil Nadu have primarily been a contest between the AIADMK and the DMK. National and regional parties partner with one or the other.
However, in the coming State Assembly elections scheduled for May 16, Tamil Nadu is seeing a five-cornered contest with at least four candidates hoping to become Chief Minister.
The other two in the fray are the PMK and the BJP, which hoped to tie up with the DMDK but failed.
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