Chennai: Amidst visible signs of strain between the DMK and Congress, TNCC president S. Thirunavukkarasar is planning to meet DMDK leader Vijayakanth at the latter’s party headquarters on Sunday, raising speculations of political re-alignment in the state.
The Congress leader will be shaking hands with the DMDK leader, who is fuming with anger against the DMK, which is drawing thousands of its cadre and functionaries to the DMK fold, after the actor’s refusal to join the DMK front in this year’s Assembly elections.
The planned courtesy call is likely to draw the ire of DMK cadre as DMDK founder Vijayakanth has become an anathema for the DMK, after he formed an alliance with PWA, which was portrayed by the DMK as the B team of the ruling party. The DMK and its supporters had alleged that the Vijayakanth-led alliance helped the AIADMK to return to power.
The actor is fuming with anger against the DMK and has accused its leaders of trying to annihilate his party. At this juncture, ‘the courtesy call’ by Thirunavukkarasar is likely to become a matter of concern for the DMK as it gives an indication of future plans of the Congress.
The meeting also assumes significance after the Thirunavukkarasar had struck a tough posture and openly asserted that he would re-negotiate the local body elections seat sharing with the DMK. It also comes after the visit of Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi to Apollo Hospital where Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa is being treated.
Rahul Gandhi who declared his support to the AIADMK supremo, besides conveying his wishes to the Chief Minister, did not extend a courtesy visit to chief M. Karunanidhi, leading to resentment among the DMK functionaries and cadre.
Thirunavukkarasu, who started his political career in the AIADMK is being accused of trying to take Congress closer to his erstwhile party.
The TNCC denied that he had arranged the meeting and also affirmed that DMK-Congress ties are intact. But, his visit to the DMDK headquarters will raise many eyebrows, amidst speculations that the national party is looking for a tough bargain with the DMK for the forthcoming civic body elections and making alternate arrangements, in case the DMK did not yield to its demand.
