DMDK treasurer and Rajya Sabha MP Sudheesh held back-to-back meetings in Delhi with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, setting off fresh political speculation in Tamil Nadu.
In the past, the DMDK had contested elections as part of the BJP-AIADMK alliance. Ahead of this year’s Assembly election, it was widely expected to join that front again, but the party instead aligned with the DMK-led coalition.
Sudheesh entered Parliament through a Rajya Sabha seat allotted by the DMK. In the Assembly election, the DMK had allocated 10 constituencies to the DMDK, with the party’s general secretary Premalatha emerging as the only winner.
According to the report, Sudheesh met Modi on August 3 and then met Shah the day before yesterday. Their discussions reportedly covered the DMK–TVK direct contest in Tamil Nadu and the DMK’s exit from the ‘INDI’ alliance, among other issues.
DMDK functionaries were quoted as saying the party maintains friendly ties and goodwill towards Modi and Shah, and that the meetings should not be seen as proof of an alliance shift. They said Sudheesh also raised Tamil Nadu-related issues such as the Mekedatu dam, adding that any decision on alliance changes would be taken by Premalatha.
