Latest news with #Premalatha
New Indian Express
2 days ago
- Business
- New Indian Express
Tamil Nadu Congress invites DMDK to join INDIA bloc amid rift with AIADMK
CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu Congress Committee (TNCC) president K Selvaperunthagai on Tuesday invited Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK) to join the INDIA bloc led by the DMK in Tamil Nadu. This has come amid signs of discontent brewing in the DMDK camp over being 'sidelined' by the AIADMK, especially in the recent Rajya Sabha seat allocation. DMDK general secretary Premalatha Vijayakant recently expressed disappointment over the AIADMK's alleged failure to honour a 'pre-poll assurance' to allot a Rajya Sabha seat to her party. The DMDK was part of the AIADMK-led alliance during the 2024 Lok Sabha election. Responding to a query on Premalatha's public gratitude to the DMK for passing a condolence resolution in honour of DMDK founder Vijayakant at its recent general council meeting, Selvaperunthagai said, 'This is my personal opinion, but I believe DMDK should align with the INDIA bloc under DMK's leadership. We welcome them wholeheartedly.' The TNCC chief's invitation is seen as a political signal at a time when the DMDK is reassessing its future. It may be noted that Premalatha also paid tribute to DMK patriarch M Karunanidhi on his 102nd birth anniversary. Recalling Karunanidhi's contributions to Tamil Nadu and the Tamil language, she also remembered his personal relationship with Vijayakant, saying, 'Kalaignar graciously presided over our wedding. The bond between him and Captain was deep and unforgettable.' Political signalling 'This is my personal opinion, but I believe the DMDK should align with the INDIA bloc under DMK's leadership. We welcome them wholeheartedly,' TNCC chief Selvaperunthagai said on Tuesday. The invitation is seen as a political signal at a time when the DMDK is reassessing its future. Premalatha also paid tribute to M Karunanidhi on his birth anniversary
Indian Express
3 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Could Vijay's party be the draw as polls stir TN's crowded political space?
AS THE countdown to the Assembly elections sets off a chain of alignments and realignments in Tamil Nadu, the one party that is steadily consolidating its position is Tamizhaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK). The political outfit floated by Tamil cinema icon Vijay is seeking to emerge as the fulcrum of a third front, and could attract smaller parties which feel neglected by the DMK and AIADMK. Vijay is quietly laying the groundwork for the TVK, with a search reportedly on for an Assembly constituency for the star beginning with the letter 'V', just like his name – a suggestion reportedly by a well-wisher. Sources said the hunt may narrow down to Virudhachalam, a backward constituency in northern Tamil Nadu, ahead of the TVK's state-wide tour starting in August. By then, the picture could also be clearer on the PMK (Pattali Makkal Katchi) and DMDK (Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam), both of which are struggling. While the PMK holds considerable influence due to its support among the OBC-Vanniyar community, the DMDK (founded by another matinee idol, the late Vijayakanth) has a solid vote bank in certain rural pockets. The vote banks of both parties complement the TVK's appeal among Dalits and OBCs in rural and semi-urban areas. The DMDK, led now by Vijayakanth's Premalatha, is unhappy about ally AIADMK not giving a ticket to it for the coming bypolls, and has said it expects the AIADMK to keep a Rajya Sabha berth promise to it. In an unusually direct statement Sunday, Premalatha reminded the AIADMK about a 'written commitment' to allot five Lok Sabha constituencies and one Rajya Sabha seat to the DMDK ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. While AIADMK chief Edappadi K Palaniswami ducked the question when asked about this, deputy general secretary K P Munusamy insisted the alliance with the DMDK was intact. Premalatha, however, has said her options are open. The PMK, on the other hand, is caught in a public power struggle between founder S Ramadoss and his son and party president Anbumani Ramadoss. The elder Ramadoss reportedly prefers direct talks and an alliance with the AIADMK, but Anbumani, who was a Union minister in the NDA government at the Centre, favours an arrangement through the BJP. If the dispute persists, the PMK too could drift toward Vijay. 'Both the DMDK and PMK are unhappy satellites of the AIADMK-NDA alliance, caught in loops of postponed promises and internal confusion. Vijay may be a clean slate for them,' said a source close to Vijay. Should either the PMK or the DMDK align with the TVK, the impact could be significant, especially in north Tamil Nadu. As per TVK calculations, such an electoral bloc may swing at least 10 key districts. The damage may not be restricted to the AIADMK alone, as such an alliance could hurt the DMK too by weaning away the Dalit base of DMK ally VCK (Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi). Another force multiplier for the TVK may be Vijay's next movie Jana Nayagan, which is in post-production and expected to wrap up by mid-July – its release coinciding with his roadshow, which is expected to cover all the constituencies in the state over three months. 'The tour will demonstrate Vijay's ground strength. He will meet local community leaders, student groups, and fisherfolk,' a top TVK source said. While Virudhachalam leads among the constituencies Vijay may pick – as he considers seats with a significant OBC-Vanniyar population, Dalits, fishermen and Christians (Vijay is Christian by faith) – others that have a chance are Virugambakkam, Virudhunagar, Villupuram, Vedaranyam, and Vellore. One of the most backward constituencies in Tamil Nadu, Virudhachalam incidentally was the seat from where the DMDK's Vijayakanth made his electoral debut in 2006. Vikravandi, with a high proportion of backward classes, is the second choice. Virugambakkam is also on the list as it was where Vijay once resided in Chennai, but it is a largely urban constituency. 'Virudhachalam fits the narrative of the character Vijay plays in his films, of an underdog and the man of the people. Otherwise, it may be Vikravandi,' said a TVK source. The TVK is also close to finalising its symbol, which is set to be 'TV', an image familiar as well as easily associable with the party's name. The party is set to go then with the slogan 'Ungal vote TV-ku (Your vote is for TV-K)'. About whether the TVK itself would consider aligning with either the AIADMK or DMK, a top associate said: 'It will only damage him. Look at what happened to leaders like O Panneerselvam or Vaiko and G K Moopanar, when they made tactical compromises. You can't join hands with the very enemy you have built your political grammar against,' he said. Aides point out that this stance also helps Vijay stand out in a crowded political landscape filled with parties with shifting loyalties. Vaiko, once DMK chief M Karunanidhi's protégé, was expelled from the party in 1993 and formed the MDMK. It later aligned with the DMK, inviting charges of political opportunism. Panneerselvam, a Jayalalithaa loyalist, lost influence after her death, and since then has been jostling around for friends. Moopanar was a senior Congress leader before he left the party in 1996 to form the Tamil Maanila Congress.
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Business Standard
3 days ago
- Politics
- Business Standard
AIADMK defers RS seat allotment, DMDK to reveal poll ties in Jan 2026
Apparently perturbed over AIADMK's decision to defer the allocation of a Rajya Sabha seat to it to 2026, the DMDK said it would announce its poll ties ahead of the Assembly election next year. Stopping short of accusing the AIADMK of not honouring its commitment made before the 2024 Lok Sabha election, DMDK general secretary Premalatha Vijayakanth said the AIADMK had already allotted a seat each to Dr Anbumani Ramadoss (PMK) and G K Vasan (TMC) in the past and now it was the turn of her party to get a Rajya Sabha seat. Playing down DMDK's decision to make known its stand on alliance on January 9, 2026, AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami told reporters in Coimbatore on June 1 that the ties between the AIADMK and DMDK were smooth and attempts to break them would not fructify. On June 1, AIADMK Deputy General Secretary K P Munusamy announced that DMDK remained part of the AIADMK-led alliance and a Rajya Sabha seat will be allocated to that party in 2026. On May 31, DMDK treasurer L K Sudheesh called on Palaniswami and discussed the upcoming Rajya Sabha election. Responding to the development, Premalatha claimed the AIADMK had committed in writing that it would allot five Lok Sabha seats and one Rajya Sabha seat to her party during the 2024 Lok Sabha election. This assurance was given in writing. When we asked him to specify the date, Mr Palaniswami had said the year is not usually mentioned in the letter, Premalatha told reporters here. She did not reveal all these details earlier, as it was the AIADMK's duty to fulfill its commitment. Now we will fulfill our duty by deciding on the alliance at our party meeting in Cuddalore on January 9, 2026, Premalatha told reporters here on June 1 when sought for her reaction. She further said that politics revolved around elections and the AIADMK had fulfilled its responsibility keeping in mind the 2026 Assembly election. We will also do the same, as every political party acts with election in mind. The DMDK would soon announce election-incharge for all the 234 assembly constituencies in the state and commence the poll work, she added. The DMDK general secretary thanked Chief Minister M K Stalin and his DMK for adopting a resolution at that party's general council meeting in Madurai on June 1 paying tributes to DMDK founder Captain' Vijayakanth who died about a year and a half ago.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
DMDK to reconsider alliance after AIADMK defers Rajya Sabha seat
Premlatha Vijayakanth and Edappadi K Palaniswam (R) NEW DELHI: The DMDK expressed dissatisfaction over AIADMK's decision to postpone the allocation of a Rajya Sabha seat to the party until 2026. DMDK general secretary Premlatha Vijayakanth said her party would announce its alliance plans ahead of 2026 assembly elections in Tamil Nadu, during a meeting in Cuddalore on January 9, 2026. Without directly accusing the AIADMK of breaking promises made before the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, Premalatha pointed out that parties like the PMK and TMC were already given Rajya Sabha seats by the AIADMK and insisted it was now DMDK's turn. She revealed that AIADMK had given a written commitment to allot five Lok Sabha seats and one Rajya Sabha seat to the DMDK during the 2024 elections. However, when asked for a specific date, AIADMK leader Edappadi K Palaniswami reportedly said that such letters typically don't mention the year. AIADMK deputy general secretary K P Munusamy confirmed on June 1 that the DMDK remains part of the AIADMK-led alliance and would be given a Rajya Sabha seat in 2026. Palaniswami also played down the rift, saying the alliance was intact and attempts to break it would fail. The reassurance came a day after DMDK treasurer L K Sudheesh met Palaniswami to discuss the Rajya Sabha polls. Premalatha said politics was closely tied to elections and that her party would also act in its own interests for the 2026 Assembly polls. She announced that DMDK would soon appoint election in-charges for all 234 Assembly constituencies in Tamil Nadu and begin preparations. She also thanked chief minister M K Stalin and the DMK for passing a resolution in their general council meeting in Madurai on June 1, honouring DMDK founder and late leader 'Captain' Vijayakanth.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
As AIADMK's defers RS seat allotment, DMDK says poll ties to be made known in Jan 2026
Apparently perturbed over AIADMK 's decision to defer the allocation of a Rajya Sabha seat to it to 2026, the DMDK said it would announce its poll ties ahead of the Assembly election next year. Stopping short of accusing the AIADMK of not honouring its commitment made before the 2024 Lok Sabha election, DMDK general secretary Premalatha Vijayakanth said the AIADMK had already allotted a seat each to Dr Anbumani Ramadoss (PMK) and G K Vasan (TMC) in the past and now it was the turn of her party to get a Rajya Sabha seat. Playing down DMDK's decision to make known its stand on alliance on January 9, 2026, AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami told reporters in Coimbatore on June 1 that the ties between the AIADMK and DMDK were smooth and attempts to break them would not fructify. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like The Top 25 Most Beautiful Women In The World Articles Vally Undo On June 1, AIADMK Deputy General Secretary K P Munusamy announced that DMDK remained part of the AIADMK-led alliance and a Rajya Sabha seat will be allocated to that party in 2026. On May 31, DMDK treasurer L K Sudheesh called on Palaniswami and discussed the upcoming Rajya Sabha election. Live Events Responding to the development, Premalatha claimed the AIADMK had committed in writing that it would allot five Lok Sabha seats and one Rajya Sabha seat to her party during the 2024 Lok Sabha election. "This assurance was given in writing. When we asked him to specify the date, Mr Palaniswami had said the year is not usually mentioned in the letter," Premalatha told reporters here. She did not reveal all these details earlier, as it was the AIADMK's duty to fulfill its commitment. "Now we will fulfill our duty by deciding on the alliance at our party meeting in Cuddalore on January 9, 2026," Premalatha told reporters here on June 1 when sought for her reaction. She further said that politics revolved around elections and the AIADMK had fulfilled its responsibility keeping in mind the 2026 Assembly election . "We will also do the same, as every political party acts with election in mind." The DMDK would soon announce election-incharge for all the 234 assembly constituencies in the state and commence the poll work, she added. The DMDK general secretary thanked Chief Minister M K Stalin and his DMK for adopting a resolution at that party's general council meeting in Madurai on June 1 paying tributes to DMDK founder 'Captain' Vijayakanth who died about a year and a half ago.
