Chennai: Cutting across party lines, the 35th Traders Day celebrations in the city on Saturday brought the entire Opposition together with leaders taking turns to criticise the ruling BJP in the Centre. DMK leader M. K. Stalin, PMK founder Dr Ramadoss and Commmunist leaders shared the dias set up by the trader’s federation and showed a renewed camaraderie while targeting the Centre and the state.
It may be noted that M. K. Stalin, Dr Ramadoss and Dalit leader Thirumavalavan were sulking after their parties lost in the previous Assembly polls in 2016 to the ruling AIADMK, but the presence of prominent leaders attending a common function called by traders triggered a fresh spell of pre poll alliance in TN ahead of 2019 Lok Sabha polls.
“We wanted all political parties to attend the function organised by traders association but the Opposition party leaders showed more interests and spoke about the Centre’s anti traders’ policies reflecting our sentiments”, said an office bearer with Tamil Nadu Vanigar Sangangalin Peramaippu.
State ministers D. Jayakumar and P. Benajmin also attended the inaugural event, but it was just ceremonial attendance, but the Opposition converted the event in to poll promise for traders. Both Ramadoss and Stalin urged the traders to ensure that BJP is not allowed to form the next government.
Ramadoss noted that demonitisation and GST have crippled the economy of TN traders. VCK leader Thol Thirumalavan in his address opined that the next government will be formed by the Congress with regional parties and added that there is no need for a third front as it would only benefit the BJP.
