Rivals Ramadoss and Captain meet, but fail to take final call on seats

In a surprise move that drew the attention of political observers, PMK founder S Ramadoss met DMDK founder Vijayakant at his Saligramam residence on Thursday. The meeting was reportedly to bury their past differences and carry the alliance forward to ensure the alliance’s victory in the Parliamentary elections and bypolls to 18 constituencies.

According to sources, Ramadoss along with his son Anbumani and party leaders, is understood to have held discussions regarding the seats the PMK wanted to contest in the Lok Sabha elections. A few constituencies, Krishnagiri, Kallakurichi and Tiruvallur, have been demanded by both the parties, PMK and DMDK, in AIADMK alliance. Hence, the PMK leader visited the DMDK leader to arrive at a decision on those seats. However, the dispute regarding the seats were not completed as both the AIADMK allies stood their ground, said sources.

The DMDK joined the AIADMK alliance with resentment as PMK was allotted seven seats. Even, DMDK deputy secretary LK Sudhish openly admitted in a press meet that his party was unhappy with AIADMK-PMK pact and the same was conveyed to the Dravidian major’s top brass as well. Both the DMDK and the PMK have been rivals ever since Vijayakant won from Vriddhachalam constituency in 2006. The reason is Vriddachalam is one of the favourite constituencies of the PMK.

However, in 2014, the BJP stitched an alliance bringing both the DMDK and the PMK under its fold for the Lok Sabha elections. Even then, PMK cadre did not extend support for DMDK candidates during the campaign, which was also one of the factors for the Captain’s party getting defeated in all the 14 seats it contested.

However, the AIADMK, this time, with the help of the BJP managed to bring both the parties into its alliance again. To bury the hatchet and get the seats of their choice, the PMK leader along with his coterie went all the way to Vijayakant’s house and held discussions. DMDK sources said that the seat sharing talks have not yet been completed and the constituencies are likely to be confirmed after the DMK declares its candidates.