Discussions are reportedly under way to field Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK) chief coordinator Seeman as a common candidate of opposition parties in the Ambasamudram Assembly by-election. Sources cited in the report say the DMK has initiated talks on the idea.
According to former DMK ministers quoted, the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) formed the government after an unexpected win, aided by Chief Minister Vijay’s cinema appeal. They claim public dissatisfaction has since grown over issues such as law and order and the removal of AIADMK MLAs.
The DMK leadership is said to be keen on winning six by-elections—Tiruchy East, Perundurai, Dharapuram, Maduranthakam, Ambasamudram and Viralimalai—and is considering whether opposition parties should unite behind common candidates. The report notes that NTK had polled strongly in a few constituencies in the recent election, including Karaikudi, Alangulam and Ambasamudram.
In Ambasamudram, the report points out that the AIADMK winner Isakki Subbiah, the Congress runner-up and the TVK candidate who finished third are now aligned with TVK, which is said to have shaped anti-TVK sentiment locally. With community arithmetic also being weighed, Seeman is said to be considering contesting, prompting efforts to project him as the joint opposition nominee.
The responsibility of persuading Seeman has reportedly been given to former DMK minister Anitha Radhakrishnan, while talks are also said to be held with AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami to secure support. If an agreement is reached in Ambasamudram, the same model may be extended to other bypoll seats, the sources said.
