The drama being enacted at the centre stage of Tamil Nadu politics reached the peak of suspense this week with Vijayakanth, leader of the DMDK being wooed by the major political formations in the State. The multi-million dollar question being discussed in political circles is about the move to be made by the film actor-turned-political leader who describes himself as “captain” and “Black MGR”.
Early this week, a delegation of BJP leaders called on Vijayakanth at his office in Koyambedu, a Chennai suburb. The local media reported that the delegation led by BJP state chief Tamilissai Soundararajan was made to wait for nearly one hour before Vijayakanth gave them a darshan and the DMDK chief expressed his “displeasure” at the Central BJP leaders’ frequent meeting with AIADMK leader J Jayalalithaa . But Soundararajan told The Pioneer that the DMDK chief was waiting for the delegation and the discussion was very cordial.
Wednesday saw the leaders of Peoples Welfare Alliance (a collective of the CPI, the CPI(M), the MDMK and the VCK) calling on Vijayakanth at his office and formally inviting him to join their front for the upcoming Assembly election. Vaiko, the MDMK chief, looked enthusiastic after the one hour long meeting and said he hoped the DMDK leader would join the PWA. Vijayakanth has not made any comments to these meetings.
Not to be left alone, DMK chief M Karunanidhi renewed his invitation to Vijayalkanth in spite of the fact that the latter had ruled out any kind of alliance with the Dravidian majors and the PMK. Though Vijayakanth is yet to reply to the latest invitation by the DMK patriarch, Vaiko expressed his displeasure over the move by Karunanidhi. “We were the first group to approach Vijayakanth and he sounded quite positive about aligning with us. It is because we met Vijayakanth that the DMK chief has renewed his invitation,” said Vaiko on Thursday.
As things stand on Christmas eve, Vijayakanth would not form any kind of alliance with the AIADMK, the DMK and the PMK. That makes the PWA and the BJP the major bidders for the DMDK hand. One has to wait till Pongal to know who would be the ultimate winner in this race for electoral alliance.