Any poll pact will be decided by Jaya: Panneerselvam

The AIADMK on Friday said any poll alliance would be decided by its supremo Jayalalithaa after a CPI-M MLA questioned the ruling party in the Tamil Nadu Assembly whether it was eying a tie-up with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

CPI(M) legislator A Soundararajan took a swipe at the Centre over the “non-release” of further rain relief financial aid and the fishermen issue, saying that the BJP-led NDA government had discriminated against Tamil Nadu.

Against such a background, he queried why a condemnatory shade against the Centre could not be found in the Governor’s address. “What is the politics behind this, what is the need? Is it to join hands with BJP for election,” he asked.

This prompted Leader of the House and Finance Minister O Panneerselvam to retort: “You cannot say anything by dreaming...alliance will be decided by our party chief and Chief Minister Jayalalithaa.” 

MMK MLA MH Jawahirullah said condemnatory references against the Centre could be found in the Governor’s address. Panneerselvam also said the four-party People’s Welfare Front (PWF), of which the Left parties are constituents, would draw a blank in the coming assembly elections.

Vaiko’s MDMK, CPI (M), CPI and VCK are the constituents of the PWF.