Chennai: Efforts for a political realignment in the state for the Parliament elections of 2019 are gathering momentum now with a series of moves being made by leaders of the Congress and Muslim outfits, besides VCK leader Thol. Thirumavalvan’s projection of Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi as the next Prime Minister.
A move is also afoot to bring DMK treasurer M.K. Stalin, Thirumavalavan and leaders of Congress and Muslim outfits on the same dais. The initiative has come from Congress MLA Vasanthakumar, who has invited them to attend his book release function on November 28 in the City. The book ‘Vetri padikattu’ will be released by Stalin and received by Puducherry Chief Minister V. Narayanasamy.
The VCK leader had campaigned for Narayanasamy in the Nellithope bypoll and had established contact with Stalin after shooting off a letter to the DMK leader explaining the reasons for not attending the all-party meeting convened by the DMK.
Indications of realignment had already surfaced in the birth anniversary celebrations of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, which was attended by Thirumavalavan and Left leaders. The IUML state president Khader Moid-een had made an open call for the formation of an alliance under the Congress for Parliament polls.
Thirumavalavan, who spoke later, said the moves of the BJP government at the Centre are enhancing the prospects of Rahul as the next Prime Minister. Barring Congress leaders, Thirumavalavan is the first to project Rahul Gandhi as a future Prime Minister.
The VCK leader’s prediction and appeals for a new front were made in the presence of DMK MP T.K.S. Elangovan, TNCC chief S. Thirunavukkarasar and CPI senior leader D. Pandian.
The move drew strong comments from BJP leaders who demanded an explanation from the VCK leader for his shifting stand on the Congress.
Union minister Pon. Radhakrishnan said, “Thirumavalavan was in the fore front of forming an alliance for the Assembly elections five months ago. The PWF parties described Congress as a corrupt party and did not join hands with it. The VCK leader’s stand of bringing the Congress to power is a farce. He should come out with reason for the sudden U-turn.”
However, the stand of MDMK leader Vaiko and the Left parties on a tie-up with Congress is not known. Vaiko has welcomed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s demonetisation move and the latest edition of MDMK organ Sangoli has come out with an article explaining the positive results of scrapping the high denomination currencies.
