Chennai
While the BJP led the NDA with PMK, DMDK, MDMK, the present alliance has DMDK, MDMK, VCK (in the place of PMK) and the Left combine (in the place of the BJP). In the same election, the DMK was aligned with VCK and Congress faced it alone.
Similarly, the Left parties together contested in 17 seats, including one in Puducherry. While the NDA hoped to make it big in Tamil Nadu in the last LS election as the whole nation was under the grip of Modi mania, the AIADMK which took on its opposition single-handedly left them shell-shocked by registering a landslide victory garnering 37 out of the 39 seats.
The NDA finished the tally with just two seats, though senior leaders of constituent parties were fielded at many places. In the coming Assembly election too, AIADMK is likely to go it alone. So, a glance at the percentage of votes polled by the popular parties, besides the two Dravidian majors, will clearly show that this election may also go in favour of J Jayalalithaa, according to some political observers.
Going by the total percentage of votes polled by the PWA partners in the last assembly or the general elections seems to be far less than that of AIADMK or DMK. But some election watchers say that this time, people want to have a set-up other than the two Dravidian majors.
So, those votes may go to the PWA and help them win a sizable number of seats. This could also result in a fractured verdict paving the way for a different postpoll coalition government. However, another section of observers says the PWA+DMDK combine will split the deciding group (neutral) and minority votes, which in the past was mostly shared by the DMK and AIADMK.
Though MMK is with the DMK, the presence of DMDK and MDMK will surely draw a considerable portion of Muslim votes in favour of the PWA. Similarly, in the case of deciding factor, a good number will be shared by the AIADMK, PMK, PWA, DMK and not to be left out the NOTA. But some DMK insiders say that Stalin’s Namakku Naamey campaign has done enough groundwork to turn the entire anti-AIADMK votes in favour of their party.
“Besides, we will also capitalise on several local and statewide issues like TASMAC, Chembarambakkam lake opening and so on,” they explain. Vijayakant’s announcement on Wednesday has created a mood of jubilation in the AIADMK camp. One of the functionaries, told DTNext , “Thanks to Captain, we have to only think of the victory margins.” The position of PMK and BJP in this election will be known only on May 19, the day on which the results will be out.
Captain’s alliance won’t affect us: DMK, BJP
Putting up a brave face after their efforts to rope in actor Vijayakanth-led DMDK for an electoral alliance failed, the DMK and BJP on Wednesday said his decision to align with the People’s Welfare Front (PWF) would not dent their victory prospects
‘’The DMK will not be affected by the new alliance. We are not considering DMDK-PWF combine a big force and therefore, it will not dent our victory chances”, DMK chief M Karunanidhi’s son and party treasurer M K Stalin said.
BJP, which also tried to retain the DMDK in its fold, too reacted on predicted lines and said Vijayakant had taken a wrong decision. It said it is strong enough to go it alone in the polls, though parties which have the people’s welfare in mind, were free to join the NDA.
Talking to reporters BJP state unit president Tamzhisai Soundararajan said “it is pity that he has joined the PWF. He (Vijayakant) wasted his political prospects by having electoral alliance with PWF’’. ‘’Vijayakant has missed a wonderful opportunity.
We took all efforts to weave a strong combine. He has now chosen to be part of a weaker team’’, she said. AIADMK Spokesperson C R Saraswathi said it was his (Vijayakant’s) decision to face the polls with the PWF. ‘‘We are not bothered. We are assured of our victory as people have made up their minds to vote for ‘Amma’,’’ she added.
AIADMK interviews almost over
Interview of poll ticket aspirants shortlisted by AIADMK party high command was held on Wednesday in the presence of the party supremo and Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa
Aspirants from districts such as Virudhunagar, Sivaganga, Vellore, Tirunelveli and Kanyakumari turned up at the CM’s Poes Garden residence right from morning for the interview scheduled from 1.30 p.m. “Even though hundreds of aspirants have filed their applications for contesting with party ticket in an assembly constituency, only three shortlisted candidates from each assembly constituency have been called for the interview,” a AIADMK party functionary told DTNext.
Party sources said the interview of candidates for all assembly constituencies in the state was almost over and the list was likely to be released by the party high command any time. “Even though I applied for a ticket from Srivilliputhur constituency, I was not called for interview and so I have come personally,” a party functionary from Katpadi said, and added that he was hopeful that his more than two decades of service to the party would be rewarded with a ticket.
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