DMDK-PWA leaders to share dais today

Chennai: On Saturday, around 4 pm, the PWA leaders drove to the TMC office in Teynampet to meet Mr Vasan and thank him for deciding to join the alliance. After a brief discussion, Mr Vasan accompanied the PWA leaders to the DMDK office at Koyambedu where a formal announcement of the tie-up was made.

Addressing a joint press conference with leaders of the alliance, Mr Vijayakanth said he was confident that the “new alternative” would emerge victorious with people like Vaiko and Mr Vasan supporting him. “All people with good heart and intention are here. What about other (rival) parties?” he asked amid rapturous sloganeering from his cadre.

While the DMDK was allotted 104 seats, Vaiko's MDMK will contest in 29 seats and CPI, CPI (M) and VCK were allotted 25 seats each under the seat-sharing arrangement signed by leaders of all six parties. The DMDK gave 20 seats and the PWA 6 seats from their pool to accommodate the TMC with 26 seats.

The DMDK-PWA alliance leaders will make a joint appearance at a public rally on Sunday where they are likely to spell out their agenda.  All leaders, including new entrant Mr Vasan, hailed Mr Vijayakanth as a leader with "clean image" and pitched for him becoming the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu as an alternative to Dravidian parties, which have been ruling the state since 1967.

Terming TMC joining the alliance a “turning point” in the history of Tamil Nadu politics, Mr Thirumavalavan said the dream of “coalition politics” in the state would be achieved by the DMDK-PWA Alliance.

In his brief speech, Mr Vasan said if voted to power, the alliance would give a "transparent administration" that would weed out corruption and impose prohibition in the state. "All those who have gathered here have a clean image and have practised clean politics. This alliance will emerge victorious," he said.

Listing out the priorities of the PWA if it came to power, Mr Vaiko said the DMDK-PWA government would waive off all farm loans and take steps towards waiving off loans taken by farmers for other purposes. He also said the alliance government would implement prohibition if it came to power. Meanwhile, the DMDK announced its chief Mr Vijayakanth would begin his campaign from April 11 from Chennai.