DMK, DMDK, Left tie-up in the offing?

TIRUCHY: Most DMK functionaries in the delta districts are upbeat and optimistic about the formation of a new alliance comprising their party, DMDK and the Left for the next Lok Sabha elections.Most of them view the remarks of party leader M Karunanidhi during a press meet after the last general council meet as an indication of the DMK leadership’s plans to align with the Left parties and Vijayakant.The party chief had said, “We are ready to consider joining hands with any party that promises national development, secularism and upliftment of workers and poorer sections, if they approached us.”Party functionaries say that although the word ‘secularism’ could apply to the Congress and Left parties, the mention of ‘upliftment of workers’ indicates a leaning towards Left parties, who were with Vijayakant for the last Assembly and local body polls. Since the DMK is already a part of the UPA at the Centre, saying ‘we will consider, if they approach us’ would mean an alignment with a new party, they contended.They say that a tie-up with Vijayakant would be more fruitful than that with the Congress.