Party to soon announce its decision on alliance : O Panneerselvam

Chennai: The talks to firm up alliance with certain parties is progressing as anticipated and the AIADMK will announce a ‘good decision’ in a day or two, Deputy Chief Minister and AIADMK coordinator O. Panneerselvam has said.

Amidst media reports of intense parleys between AIADMK and BJP for an electoral alliance for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls in Tamil Nadu, the ruling party said the decision on finalising an alliance with various parties will be taken soon. “A good and cordial decision will be taken in a day or two,” Mr. Panneerselvam told reporters here on Friday when asked if the alliance between his party and the BJP was being firmed up.

The AIADMK was holding talks with national and regional parties, Mr. Panneerselvam said but he did not name any party. His remarks come a day after Union railway minister Piyush Goyal, who is poll in-charge for Tamil Nadu, said, “all possibilities are under consideration and discussions. At the right time, we will give you the good news.” Asked if his party will seek support from Tamil film ‘superstar’ Rajinikanth, Mr Panneerselvam evaded a direct reply and merely said “the election victory will prove that people are with the AIADMK.”

Asked if the AIADMK-BJP alliance is sealed, he said, “as has already been stated a cordial situation is prevailing for talks with national and regional parties. We will soon announce the decision.”  To a question he replied that his party had received about 2,000 applications from party aspirants to contest in the Lok Sabha election. “Soon the candidates would be interviewed and the final list of candidates would be released,” Mr Panneerselvam added.