DMK, TMC moving closer to alliance?

CHENNAI: A friendly chat between DMK treasurer M.K. Stalin and Tamil Maanila Congress leader G.K. Vasan at a wedding a few days ago, has raised hopes among Vasan supporters that they can find a berth in the DMK front for the civic body elections. The two leaders met at the marriage function in the family of two of their party functionaries — Thamizhachi Thangapandian and former MP Sithan. The topic of discussion between the two politicians for about 20 minutes has become a matter of speculation in the media, but partymen of both DMK and TMC fe-el it had shown the rapport between the two leaders.

Vasan had already indicated that he is keeping options open for the local body elections by announcing that it would be decided at the time of the polls. He had also clarified that his party had only seat adjustments with PWA and DMDK during the Assembly elections. A TMC functionary said the party will not delay its alliance decision as did in the Assembly elections. Vasan would soon discuss alliance issue with partymen and make an announcement.

The TMC is in need of aligning with a bigger party for the local body polls to survive in State politics and an alliance with the DMK could help it to gain a foothold at the grassroots level. But, the TMC had to cross several hurdles to get into the DMK alliance. A strong section of DMK functionaries wants the party to go it alone in the civic body elections, since its nominees alone could face the AIADMK which is keen to block the DMK from repeating its Assembly election performance.

Even if the party wants to cobble an alliance, the question of Congress and TMC staying  together would pose problems. Besides, the disastrous performance of TMC in the Assembly polls could weigh against it. The TMC which contested in 26 seats, finished third only in 11 seats, besides polling just 0.5 per cent votes. The VCK and Left parties which contested in one seat less than TMC had polled about 0.8 per cent votes each. But, one factor that may work for him is that the DMK leadership could be keen to snap Vasan's ties with MDMK leader Vaiko. If Vasan is left alone, there is a possibility of TMC renewing its ties with PWA for the local body elections too.