Chennai: Late actor Vijayakanth founded DMDK on Thursday joined the DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance here for the upcoming Tamil Nadu Assembly polls, ending weeks of political speculation.
DMDK’s move came amidst reports that the Opposition AIADMK was also actively wooing the party to its led NDA. Key NDA constituent BJP slammed DMDK, saying while it has boarded a “sinking ship,” Vijayakanth’s “athma (soul) will not forgive” the party for forging ties with the DMK.
Incidentally, this was the first time the two parties have forged an electoral alliance. DMDK joined hands with the J Jayalalithaa-led AIADMK for the 2011 polls where the Opposition combine, which also included the Left parties, trounced the DMK, relegating it to the third position in the 234-member TN Assembly. With 29 MLAs, Vijayakanth became the Leader of Opposition then.
On Thursday, DMDK top leaders sealed the alliance at the DMK headquarters Anna Arivalayam here in the presence of Chief Minister and party president MK Stalin.
DMDK general secretary Premathala Vijayakanth, accompanied by senior party functionaries, including its treasurer and her brother LK Sudheesh, called on Stalin to formalise the partnership. During the brief interaction, the DMK chief presented a shawl to both the leaders of the DMDK.
Premalatha presented a flower bouquet to the CM and posed for a group photograph with DMK MP Kanimozhi and deputy CM Udhayanidhi Stalin to mark the formal entry into the alliance.
In a social media post, Stalin said, “It brings me immense joy that the DMDK, founded by Captain Vijaykanth and a man who had unwavering love for Kalaignar (late DMK patriarch M Karunanidhi), has joined the Secular Progressive Alliance.” The DMDK founder is fondly addressed as ‘Captain.’
“I warmly welcome sister Premalatha Vijayakanth, who is now skillfully leading the party founded by Captain, along with their party supporters. Let this bond of goodwill continue to contribute to the progress and prosperity of Tamil Nadu,” he said, sharing images of the DMDK leaders joining the DMK-led alliance.
