Madurai: Even as MDMK leader Vaiko met suspended former DMK south zone secretary M.K. Alagiri at his residence on Sunday and sought support for him in the Lok Sabha elections, Mr Alagiri said he could not say anything about his support “explicitly”.
Mr Vaiko, contesting from Virudhunagar constituency, called on Mr Alagiri at his Sathyasai Nagar residence in the morning and was closeted with him for about 45 minutes.
Emerging from the meeting, the MDMK leader told mediapersons that they exchanged pleasantries when they met at the airport a few days ago and he called on Mr Alagiri today on his invitation. He said he sought his support for the NDA, especially for himself and other MDMK candidates.
“Alagiri said all goodwill happens and I will emerge victorious,” Mr Vaiko added. Asked whether Mr Alagiri expressed his willingness to back him in the elections, a visibly irritated Vaiko retorted, “It (wishing me success) means that (he will support me).”
Later, when Mr Alagiri, who had been to Rajapalayam to attend his supporter’s family function, was asked about extending support to Mr Vaiko, he maintained that he cannot say anything openly now as he needs to discuss it with his supporters. Mr Alagiri had already expressed his discontent over the nomination of trade body leader S. Rethinavelu by the DMK to contest from Virudhunagar constituency.
Though Mr Rethinavelu had penned a book praising Mr Alagiri, the suspended leader, sources close to him said, has targeted Virudhunagar to take upon its district secretary K.K.S.S.R. Ramachandran, a staunch loyalist of his brother M.K. Stalin, and MLA Thangam Tennarasu, who switched over to Stalin camp, “betraying” him.
He is expected to offer his tacit support to Mr Vaiko in Virudhunagar and Congress candidate J.M. Haroon in Theni.
Mr Alagiri is hopeful that his father and party president M. Karunanidhi would meet him when he visits Madurai on April 13. “Kalaignar may meet me when he comes to Madurai to address a public meeting. If he does, he may even be sidelined from the party,” a vexed Alagiri told reporters at Rajapalayam.
