Chennai: In the era of coalition politics, the alliance scene in Tamil Nadu for the
2016 Assembly elections crucially hinged on the decision of DMDK leader Vijayakanth. Which way would he go? The DMK, the BJP and the People’s Welfare Alliance were trying hard to rope him in. With many rumours, much speculation and a few planted stories clouding the issue, Deccan Chronicle managed to decipher the clutter in being the first to predict firmly that the PWA was already moving towards seat adjustments with Captain after having agreed in principle to the alliance.
On February 29, the DC carried a report portraying the jubilant and optimistic mood in the PWA camp over a tie-up with Vijayakanth. The first week of March started with speculation and planted stories that Vijayakanth had agreed to align with the DMK and had settled for 59 seats. Most dailies carried such reports but DC refused to be carried away.
Again, amid speculation that Vijayakanth will meet DMK chief M. Karunanidhi on March 11, DC was the only paper which carried a front page news item focusing on the women’s wing meeting of the DMDK on March 10, suggesting that the DMDK’s decision will be indicated in the meeting. Vijayakanth himself attended the meeting and announced that he will lead a front, closing the doors on DMK.
Immediately on the next day, the DC carried a news analysis that the PWA
leaders are working for a seat adjustment with Captain. DC wrote, “The option of keeping the PWA intact and joining the DMDK alliance by accepting Captain as the ‘King’ is open for leaders of four parties”.
Again, on March 16, we carried a report on the negotiations between the DMDK and PWA with a heading “Will Captain-PWA seal poll deal?” Finally, on the day of the deal, all the papers reported about a pact the DC had already predicted.
