MDMK general secretary Vaiko on Tuesday said the party has not yet taken a decision on a possible alliance with TVK, and that the matter will be discussed at the MDMK general council meeting scheduled for June 27.
Speaking after an MDMK protest near the Chennai Collectorate against the Karnataka government’s efforts to build the Mekedatu dam across the Cauvery, Vaiko recalled that he had campaigned firmly as part of the DMK-led alliance and that the MDMK won two seats with DMK’s support. He added that the MDMK had also contributed to the alliance’s overall victory.
Vaiko said other parties in the alliance were allotted more seats, while the MDMK received only four. He noted that party workers had expressed disappointment that the MDMK did not contest more seats under its own symbol, and said this sentiment was reflected in remarks made by principal secretary Durai Vaiko.
He also criticised Congress leaders who won as part of the DMK alliance, alleging they shifted towards TVK without even expressing thanks, and pointed out that they had obtained a Rajya Sabha seat from the DMK and later secured a place in the TVK cabinet. Vaiko said the MDMK would not take any hurried decision on an alliance with TVK.
On the Mekedatu issue, he said a one-day statewide shutdown by the Tamil Nadu government would signal to Karnataka that the entire state opposes the dam. He further announced that the MDMK would wear black shirts and carry black flags on June 7 to protest the dressing of Thiruvalluvar in saffron, and would lay siege to the Raj Bhavan.
