DMK trying to woo PMK into alliance

Belligerent till a fortnight ago, the DMK has now come forward to make compromises to accommodate more parties in its alliance for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls.

According to insiders, the principal opposition party, which was determined to contest not less than 25 seats, is now willing to reduce its tally. The party could bring down its count to around 20 seats, all to accommodate the PMK, which is reportedly being lured by the ruling AIADMK as well.

Sources said DMK president M K Stalin, who was adamant till last month on not having any truck with the PMK, has now changed his stance and wants to partner with the Vanniyar-backed party.

He is now said to be offering five Lok Sabha seats to the PMK to prevent the party from going towards the AIADMK. With its political stakes having improved, the PMK has now increased its demand to six seats plus a Rajya Sabha nomination.

Highly placed DMK sources privy to the development exuded confidence that the PMK would settle for five seats plus one RS nomination, provided the ruling AIADMK does not renew its recent offer of six plus one and above all other considerations, which Stalin has been struggling to match ever since negotiations between Anbumani Ramadoss and Stalin’s son-in-law Sabarishan began less than a fortnight ago.

PMK president Ramadoss senior, however, is still in favour of joining the AIADMK, while his son Anbumani and party president G K Mani prefer to go with the DMK.

Roping in the PMK could bring fresh trouble for the DMK, as it would have to convince the VCK to drop its opposition. DMK insider’s privy to the negotiations expressed confidence that the DMK would be able to convince VCK chief Thirumavalavan to share the dais with Ramadoss. Chidambaram Lok Sabha constituency could be the trump card the DMK would offer to retain the Dalit party.

The DMK was also understood to have convinced a Kongu party to contest in its ‘Rising Sun’ symbol. As of now, the DMK has planned to retain 22 seats and apportion seven to Congress (excluding Puducherry), five to PMK, two to CPMand one each to CPI, MDMK and VCK.