TMC in talks with DMK for Mayiladuthurai LS constituency

Sources said TMC leader G K Vasan is also keen on going with the DMK, despite receiving offers from the rival AIADMK camp.

In fact, Vasan had issued an out of the blue clarification on finalizing alliance after news about his general secretary ‘Vidiyal’ Sekar meeting AIADMK minister P Thangamani hit the headlines.

Both Vasan and his second in command B S Gnanadesikan clarified that only Vasan was authorized to finalize alliance after spin doctors confirmed that the AIADMK-TMC alliance was a done deal. Sources in the know told DT Next that Vasan was ready to join the DMK fold comprising the Congress if he were allotted the lone Mayiladuthurai seat.

However, the deterrent for DMK in clinching the deal was as much Congress as the two-seat offer from AIADMK. Congress president Rahul Gandhi was learnt to have been unimpressed by DMK chief negotiation Kanimozhi’s recommendation to take TMC on board.

The Congress chief has informed the DMK high command that his party lieutenants have reservations in working with the breakaway faction. In the same vein, Vasan was wary of the dangers of his functionaries getting perilously close to the parent party during the electioneering process. Unsurprisingly, the inhibitions did not discourage either Stalin who has offered to convince the Congress boss and get him on board or Vasan who wants to rejoin his friends.

“The personal assurance from Stalin prompted Vasan to issue the clarification. Vasan is indeed approached by the AIADMK which is keen on getting maximum number of partners to its kitty,” a TMC source requesting anonymity said. Some clarity on TMC’s position could emerge before Friday given that the AIADMK is expected to hold fresh rounds of talks on Thursday.