Opposition parties to rework strategy

Chennai: The issue of corruption was the rallying point for Opposition parties, particularly the PMK and DMDK, prior to the Karnataka high court’s verdict on Monday. But, the acquittal has forced the parties to rethink their strategies. Between September 2014 and early this May, DMDK chief Vijayakanth was vehemently opposing the ruling AIADMK and was lobbying to be declared as CM candidate of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) to take on both the AIADMK and DMK, which were facing corruption cases.

Vijayakanth even led a delegation of opposition parties to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi last month to take up issues concerning the state.  Acquittal of AIADMK chief has ruined his hopes of becoming a serious CM contender; Vijayakanth has been left with the option of either leading his own front or aligning with DMK, which is facing the 2G spectrum case. “Acquittal of Ms Jayalalithaa will not make corruption a non issue in Tamil Nadu politics. There were several charges of corruption which had been raised against the ruling state government including Muthukumarasamy issue and Aavin adulteration,” a senior DMDK leader said adding that his party was hesitant to join hands with DMK only because the 2G spectrum case stares at it.

After declaring Dr Anbumani Ramadoss as its chief ministerial candidate to take on the two Dravidian parties, PMK had gone hammer and tongs against the AIADMK. With no allies in sight, PMK would now be forced to go it alone with some caste groups for the ensuing election. “We were focussing on corruption and liquor issues in our campaign. Liquor is a major issue affecting several households, particularly women. So Dr Anbumani has been holding rallies in all the districts seeking prohibition. On May 14, he will address a rally in Vellore. Already he had held a rally at Dharmapuri and Kancheepuram,” a senior PMK leader said.