Disappointed DMK jolted by High Court verdict

Though DMK president M K Stalin has attempted to put on a brave face by stating that his party is not bothered by the verdict, sources acknowledged the HC ruling has strengthened the government, which was hanging by the thread following the feuds inside the AIADMK.

 

Sources said the HC reprieve to the AIADMK regime and deferment of byelections has increased the exasperation of the DMK. Second-rung leaders of the party are said to have started secretly complaining about the leadership not taking advantage of the delicate political situation.

While some like DMK legal wing joint secretary I Paranthaman said the prevailing situation could have been averted had then Governor Vidyasagar Rao obliged to their demand for a floor test, senior DMK leaders conceded a difference of opinion within the party on the approach to be taken.

“We should poach on the AIADMK MLAs and bring down this government. We should not wait for Dhinakaran to do it. This is not a power struggle within the AIADMK,” a DMK senior requesting anonymity opined, complaining that they were unable to get the leadership to act.

 

Another leader, however, remarked that the disappointing verdict has opened a window of opportunity.

 

“The legal victory is only a reprieve for the AIADMK regime. The ruling party, which does not want to face two byelections, would not want to face elections in 18 constituencies. There is a strong anti-incumbency against the ruling dispensation. We should prepare for the bypolls,” he said, conceding that his party must not play a waiting game anymore.

That disappointment was written all over DMK faces could be comprehended from the statement of DMK MLA P T R Thiyagarajan who tweeted; “Democracy has been cremated in Tamil Nadu. The Central & State Governments committed torturous murder. Courts performed the last rites at the funeral pyre.

 

While there is human life there is hope. It shall be resurrected someday & the perpetrators’ names shall live in infamy.”

Opposition parties in the state have demanded early bypolls to the 20 constituencies following the Madras High Court ruling.

Talking to reporters after chairing the DMK district secretaries’ meeting here, Stalin said democracy must be safeguarded. 

Stating that the democratic norms should be followed, he said the DMK was not bothered whether the third Judge’s verdict favoured one section of the AIADMK or the other.

“Already Tiruvarur and Tiruparankundram Assembly seats are vacant. Now with Thursday’s High Court order, the 18 seats (represented by rebel AIADMK MLAs) have also fallen vacant,” he said, and demanded that the Election Commission of India should hold immediate elections to all the 20 seats.

  

Asserting that the DMK was ready to face elections any time, the DMK chief said elections to fill the 20 seats should be held immediately as people were ready to extend their support to his party.

He said the district secretaries meeting discussed about the strategy to be adopted to face the Lok Sabha polls and the Assembly elections if it was held simultaneously.

Meanwhile, MDMK leader Vaiko has insisted that elections must be immediately held for the 20 constituencies. TNCC president S Thirunavukkarasar said the views of people could be learnt only by holding the byelections, adding that it was imperative to hold the same at the earliest.