DMDK to go it alone in Tamil Nadu polls says Captain Vijaykant, Tamil Nadu assembly polls,Captain Vijayakant, DMDK,J Jayalalitaa,H Raja,Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam
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- Category: TamilNadu Political News
- Last Updated: Friday, 11 March 2016 12:06
DMDK to go it alone in Tamil Nadu polls says Captain Vijaykant, Tamil Nadu assembly polls,Captain Vijayakant, DMDK,J Jayalalitaa,H Raja,Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam
DMDK chief Captain Vijayakant announced on Thursday he would go it alone in the Tamil Nadu assembly polls after weeks of speculation on the small-but-significant party’s moves before a close election.
The announcement is a big blow to the DMK that was desperately wooing the DMDK, as Vijaykant’s 8% vote share would have bolstered the opposition party’s chances and given it momentum.
“I now clearly announce that i will contest alone,” Vijayakant said at a public meeting at Royapettah in Chennai to loud cheers.
“In my previous meeting at Kancheepuram I had asked the people if they wanted to see me as the king or the kingmaker. You all have wanted me to be the king, which is why the DMDK will go it alone in the assembly polls.”
By going alone, the DMDK is sure to split the anti-AIADMK vote and help chief minister J Jayalalithaa, said professor Ramu Manivannan of Madras University.
He said back-channel talks were going on between the AIADMK and DMDK, quoting feedback he received from some candidates who applied for MLA seats in the ruling party.
Senior BJP leader H Raja said the announcement of Vijayakant will not in any way affect the BJP, which will not become weaker. If anything, this paves the way for PMK to align with the BJP, which sources indicated would most likely happen soon.
The DMDK’s decision changes the landscape of Tamil Nadu assembly elections with multi-cornered contests, with at least five fronts in fray -- the AIADMK, the DMK-Cong, Peoples Welfare Front, the DMDK and the NDA.
If the popularity of AIADMK supremo J Jayalalitaa on account of populist schemes holds and vote against her gets split, the close nature of contests could see her emerge back as the chief minister, albeit with a lesser margin.
src: hindustantimes