19 parties pledge support to DMK

The state office-bearers of the 19 parties and organisations called on DMK Treasurer M K Stalin at the party headquarters ‘Anna Arivalayam’ and pledged their support to the DMK in the elections. 

The parties which had extended their support for the DMK-led Front included Periyar Ambedkar Munnetra Kazahgam, Jananayaka Muslim Munnetra Kazhagam, All India True Christian Council, South India Viswa Karma Munnetra Sangam, Puratchi Bharatham Makkal Katchi, Tamil Nadu Milk Producers’ Employees Welfare Sangam, Jananayaga Puratchi Munnani, Sivaji Social Welfare Peravai, Village Temple Priests and Folk Arts Jodithargal Welfare Sangam, Indhiya Makkal Munnetra Katchi, Makkal Kootamaippu Katchi, Gramani Makkal Vazhvurimai Welfare Sangam, the Arunthathiyar Makkal Iyakkam, Anna Makkal Iyakkam, Christian Protection Movement, All India Jananayaga Makkal Katchi, Namadhu Desam Party, Indhiyar Jananayaga  Katchi and All People Viduthalai Katchi. 

The DMK, which had already announced its alliance with the Congress, made all out efforts to rope in Vijayakant into the alliance fold. Apart from the DMK, the BJP-led NDA and the four-party combine People’s Welfare Front that comprised the MDMK, the two Left Parties and the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi, also wanted Vijayakant to join their alliances to take on the ruling AIADMK. But the actor-turned-politician shattered their hopes and sprang a surprise by announcing that his party would go it alone in the Assembly elections and contest all the 234 seats.