TN polls: Asaduddin Owaisi's AIMIM seals poll deal with TTV Dhinakaran's AMMK
Chennai, Mar 8: The Lok Sabha MP Asaduddin Owaisi's AIMIM will make its foray into Tamil Nadu contesting from three constituencies in alliance with TTV Dhinakaran's AMMK.
Besides the CPI(M), DMK struck pacts with three local outfits, allotting them one seat each but they will contest on the Dravidian party's symbol in the April 6 assembly elections, it said.
Though the Left party bargained for a bigger share of seats, CPI (M) state secretary K Balakrishnan, who signed the pact with DMK president M K Stalin, said the combine has a greater responsibility to defeat the AIADMK-BJP alliance and particularly in not allowing the national party to gain a foothold in Tamil Nadu.
"Though we expected more seats from the DMK, we agreed for six seats and finalised the deal as it is vital to have a majority in the state assembly," he told reporters.
The CPIM leader said the DMK allies have a huge political responsibility to defeat the AIADMK and alleged the BJP was "a threat" to the nation.
"With mere two or three legislators, the BJP toppled the Congress government in Puducherry. We dont want such a situation in Tamil Nadu. Not a single member from the BJP should win," he added.
Meanwhile, the DMK allotted one seat each to Tamizhaga Vazhvurimai Katchi, Aathi Tamizhar Peravai and Makkal Viduthalai Katchi. These fringe parties will contest on the DMK's 'Rising Sun' symbol.
Already, the DMK has apportioned 25 seats to the Congress, six each to the MDMK, VCK and CPI, three for IUML and two for the MMK of the 234 seats in the state.
Vaiko's MDMK will also contest all the six seats on the DMK's Rising Sun symbol.
Meanwhile, Dhinakaran's Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam announced its first poll-pact for the April 6 elections, with the AIMIM.
A party release said the two had decided to face the elections in both Tamil Nadu and Puducherry.
AMMK announced allotting Vaniyambadi, Krishnagiri and Sankarapuram constituencies in Tamil Nadu to its partner.
Hyderabad-based Owaisi had earlier said his party, which has contested and won seats in states including Bihar, will field candidates in Tamil Nadu this time.
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Cong claims TVK chief Vijay has sought its support for govt formation in Tamil Nadu
New Delhi (PTI): The Congress on Tuesday claimed that TVK chief Vijay has sought its support for government formation in Tamil Nadu and its leadership has directed the state unit to take a final decision on the matter, keeping in view the state's sentiments.
The party, which fought the assembly election in alliance with the DMK, asserted that the mandate in Tamil Nadu is for a secular government and that it is determined "not to have the BJP and its proxies run the government of Tamil Nadu in any manner".
Top Congress leaders held a meeting at party chief Mallikarjun Kharge's residence on Tuesday evening that was attended by Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and Tamil Nadu in-charge Girish Chodankar, among others.
Addressing the media after the meeting, Congress general secretary, Organisation, K C Venugopal said the Congress leadership discussed the post-election scenario in Tamil Nadu.
"TVK President Thiru Vijay has requested the Indian National Congress for support to form a Government in Tamil Nadu. He has spoken about drawing inspiration from Perumthalaivar Kamaraj as well, in his political mission.
"The INC is clear that the mandate in Tamil Nadu is for a secular government that is committed to protecting the Constitution in letter and spirit. The INC is determined not to have the BJP and its proxies run the Government of Tamil Nadu in any manner," he said.
"Accordingly, the Congress leadership has directed the TNCC to take a final decision on Thiru Vijay's request, keeping in view the sentiments of the state reflected in the electoral verdict," Venugopal told reporters.
Vijay's TVK won 108 seats in the 234-member Tamil Nadu Assembly, falling short of the halfway mark. He needs the support of 10 MLAs to form a government with a simple majority. The results were declared only on Monday.
The Congress has won five seats, while the Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) has bagged four seats. The CPI and CPI-M have two seats each.
On the other hand, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) has won 59 seats while the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) has won 47 seats.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has won only one seat and so have the Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK) and the Amma Makkal Munnettra Kazagam (AMMK), while the VCK has won two seats.
The Congress had fought the assembly polls in a pre-poll alliance with the DMK, while the BJP had a tie-up with the AIADMK.
