Dark clouds of mutual suspicion have cast a shadow over the Rising Sun in Tamil Nadu. The Rising Sun is the election symbol of the DMK, which has been taken over by MK Stalin from party patriarch M Karunanidhi who breathed his last in August.
The disintegration of the ruling AIADMK into three factions after the demise of J Jayalahaa had brightened the prospects of DMK returning to power in Tamil Nadu in the next election. Moreover there is an uncertainty in the majority enjoyed by the AIADMK in the Legislative Assembly which has an effective strength of 234.
There are 20 seats lying vacant following the disqualification of 18 AIADMK MLAs and the death of two law makers including Karunanidhi. Small parties like the CPM, CPI and the VCK which were constituents of the Third Front during the 2016 Assembly elections have already declared their support to the DMK in their bid to defeat the “communal BJP” Government at the Centre and the “corrupt AIADMK” Government in Tamil Nadu.
Vaiko, the MDMK leader, was the first who broke ranks with the Third Front and declared his support to the DMK in the 2019 Parliament election and the assembly election as and when they are held. “My mission is to make Stalin the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. I will not rest till he is sworn in as the Chief Minister of the State,” declared Vaiko in 2017 itself. Not content with that, the Dravidian leader started describing Stalin as the future Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. The MDMK leader was a regular feature in all the political meetings convened by the DMK at the party head quarters.
But everything came crashing down on Monday following an interview given by DMK’s treasurer Durai Murugan to a Tamil News channel. Murugan, the deputy leader of the DMK in the Assembly as well as the de facto Number 2 in the party said that as on Monday, only Congress and the Muslim League were the alliance partners for the DMK.
“Others are all friendly parties. We work with them in all the agitations against the State and Central Governments,” said Murugan. He pointed out that the Congress and the Muslim League were in alliance with the DMK during the 2016 Assembly elections while the MDMK, the Lefts and the TMC had formed a Third Front and contested separately.
“The parties could be termed as alliance partners when they enter into a partnership agreeing to the number of seats to be contested and sign a deal,” added Murugan.
Vaiko, who was taken aback by the development was evasive when scribes asked him about the statement by Murugan. “He (Murugan) is only the treasurer of the party while the last word has to be said by Stalin, the party president. But my cadres are disappointed over Murugan’s words,” said Vaiko.
Tamil Nadu Congress Committee (TNCC) chief Thirunavakarassar tried to douse Vaiko’s anger . “What Murugan said is correct. Though the MDMK, the Lefts and the VCK are working together with us, a formal alliance arrangement is yet to be worked out. It will happen at the time of election,” said the TNCC chief while speaking to reporters.
Narayanan Thiruppathi, BJP spokesman, said that the rainbow alliance Stalin had thought of cobbling up before the next election would not materialise. "There are inherent contradictions in these parties and they will not sail together," said Narayanan.
Sources close to Stalin said that Durai Murugan would not have made a statement like this without the concurrence of the party chief.
“Vaiko might have placed some hefty demand to the party leadership. The DMK is confident of winning the election and is not entirely dependent on these small outfits. This could be a signal to these parties to be content with whatever they are offered by the DMK,” said the DMK leader who preferred to be anonymous.