Chennai: DMK working president M.K. Stalin, through his promise of a 'decision that will bring a new dawn to the people of Tamil Nadu in a few days', indicated the possibility of forming an alternative government in the state within the existing Assembly.
Almost at the same time when Stalin made the remarks at a marriage function in Salem, Sasikala's brother V.K. Dhivakaran, who attended a wedding in neighbouring Erode, echoed Stalin's views and asserted that it would not be wrong to team up with DMK for people's welfare. Comparing Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palanisami government with 'sinking ship', Dhivakaran claimed that his family had the support of 67 MLAs including the 19 legislators who had met Governor Ch. Vidyasagar Rao.
Amid media reports that the Union government is considering suspension of Tamil Nadu Assembly using Article 355 to stop the DMK from taking advantage of the crisis for Palaniswami's government, Stalin addressing the cadre said, "You have been patient for a long time. Wait for a few days. I am not saying a few years or months, just a few days".
Referring to the reports that the MLAs supporting AIADMK deputy general secretary T.T.V. Dhinakaran had gone up to 27, he predicted that the number of MLAs backing Dhinakaran would go up to 40. "The DMK which has 89 MLAs will take a decision after legal consultations", he said, opening the possibility of the DMK supporting a government of Dhinakaran camp, which is working to make Speaker P. Dhanapal as the next Chief Minister.
He also reiterated that the DMK would come to power only after winning people's mandate ruling out the possibility of a government headed by his party. Since, elections are not possible in a few days, Stalin's remarks are interpreted as a message to cadres that the DMK may support a government without taking part in it. "The decision is not for our selfish interest or the interests of the party. We will certainly take the decision for the welfare of Tamil Nadu people", he said, further hinting that his partymen would not take any posts.
Without elaborating his plans, Stalin said "What will the Governor do when the DMK puts the ball in his court? I will not say what the DMK will do with the ball since the suspense will be lost," he said.
V.K. Dhivakaran said the Palaniswami group which had offered commission for some DMK MLAs in contract could not accuse his faction of teaming up with the DMK. "There is nothing wrong in teaming up with DMK for people's welfare", he said. Dhivakaran had already extended support to the DMK's protest to exempt Tamil Nadu from Neet.
