JOIN USBJP, DMK still trying to woo Vijayakanth
In a last ditch effort, the DMK and the BJP have planned to approach actor Vijayakanth with high offers to forge an electoral alliance with his DMDK. The DMDK has already stated that the party will not be entering into any electoral alliance.
The BJP’s renewed effort seems to be coming against the backdrop of the poor response from smaller outfits in joining hands with the party. Sources within the BJP told Deccan Herald on Monday that they are willing to offer DMDK more than 130 seats, against the earlier offer of 90 seats.
“The chief ministerial candidate is also not an issue. At present, our high command might also accept Vijayakanth as CM candidate,” said Balaji, a senior BJP functionary. According to him, the BJP is keen on reviving the NDA coalition in Tamil Nadu.
The BJP, which led the NDA front in the state along with key parties–including the DMDK, Vaiko-led MDMK and the PMK–during the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, is almost isolated for the Assembly elections.
DMK cadre hit
The DMK camp is also taking measures to once again approach Vijayakanth as the morale of the party cadres’ suffered a severe blow after the actor-turned-politician opted for going alone in the polls.
“The only problem is that our party is not in a position to announce Vijayakanth as CM candidate since Karunanidhi and Stalin are in the fray,” said S Venkatesan, a senior DMK functionary.
The People’s Welfare Front (PWF), comprising MDMK, VCK, CPM and the CPI, is still confident that Vijayakanth would soon invite them for forming an alliance. A few weeks ago, Vijayakanth met PWF leaders for alliance talks.
Though the Opposition parties are in the process to woo Vijayakanth, the DMDK camp is busy selecting candidates for all the 234 Assembly constituencies in the state.