Seat sharing tussle won’t hit ties: Alagiri

Reacting to Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami’s charge that DMK-led opposition was wary of facing polls, Alagiri said the DMK led secular alliance would win any election in which people participate. “AIADMK-BJP alliance will lose any election in which people participate, like they did in the Lok Sabha elections. Hence, the Chief Minister is preparing to poach, horse trade in the polls. Only goons, rich and people in power can do it. Others cannot,”Alagiri said.

Asked about his party and DMK members locking horns in many parts of the state, a reticent TNCC chief said, “Wherever they are interested, they have contested. No seat sharing arrangement has been made with DMK for civic polls at leadership level. Negotiations were held locally at the district level.” Downplaying the differences, Alagiri added; “In some places, party men have got the seats they desired, in some places, they did not. It is a local issue. It does not have any bearing on the leadership, be it DMK or Congress.”

Alagiri also alleged that voters were being induced with rings, washing machines and refrigerators. Refusing to name the party, Alagiri said, “There is no party (in election to rural local bodies). Nadukuppam panchayat, AIADMK person has taken the chairman post in auction.” “Even Santa Claus has not done it. People are confused. They don’t know who to vote,” a sarcastic Alagiri added. 

He reiterating that they had approached court to stop elections and they only want election to be conducted in a fair manner.

On BJP alleging that Opposition was provoking students, he said, “Do the students not read newspapers? Are they in RSS to remain indoors? They know everything happening around them. Students are aware that they (BJP) are dragging the country backward to a barbarous state. Hence, they have launched protests.”