DMDK to fight polls alone, belies hopes of BJP, DMK

After keeping alliance aspirants on tenterhooks, actor-turned politician Vijayakanth on Thursday said his party DMDK would go it alone in the May 16 Tamil Nadu Assembly polls, belying the hopes of DMK, BJP and the four-party bloc PWF.

“I am making it clear that Vijayakanth (DMDK) is going to fight elections alone,” he said to a thunderous applause from the gathering at the party’s women’s wing meet here.

The declaration by DMDK came against the background of sustained efforts by the DMK, BJP and People’s Welfare Front PWF (comprising MDMK, VCK and CPI(M) and CPI) to rope in the Vijayakanth-led party into their fold.

It also has firmed up the election scenario in Tamil Nadu which looks set for a multi-cornered contest among AIADMK, DMK-Cong combine, BJP, PWF and DMDK.

DMDK was part of BJP-led NDA in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, and the saffron party was hoping to retain it in its alliance for the assembly elections. Ridiculing speculation in the media about which alliance the DMDK would choose, he asked “why are you worried?.”

Citing some media reports that claimed “bargain was going on (by DMDK) with potential allies,” he said, “I did not bargain with anyone (party).” Thanking all the political parties who sought an electoral tie-up with him, he categorically said that DMDK would face the elections alone. “I am (DMDK) standing alone in elections,” he said.

Explaining the background to the party decision, he said his partymen were confused when TV channels owing allegiance to select political parties aired views according to their whims and fancies.