Good response to our decision: Vaiko

By Our Special Correspondent

CHENNAI, APRIL 1. The MDMK general secretary, Mr. Vaiko, today claimed that his party's decision to go it alone in the May 10 Assembly polls, except in constituencies being contested by the BJP, has already evoked a `good response' from different sections of the people.

In an informal chat with The Hindu here, Mr. Vaiko said that the ``politically non-committed middle class'', including a whole range of professionals, were particularly ``happy at our decision and we are getting numerous telephone calls congratulating us''.

Indicating that MDMK would lead an ``ideal alliance,'' which did not depend on blatantly casteist/communal outfits, Mr. Vaiko said his `profound respect' for the DMK leader, Mr. M. Karunanidhi, remained undiminished.

``We (MDMK) were the first to go round Tamil Nadu in the last two months campaigning that Kalaignar (Mr. Karunanidhi) should come back as Chief Minister and for the victory of the NDA. But I have been forced into this situation after being humiliated on the issue of allocation of seats'', said Mr. Vaiko.

He said, ``this is our finest hour'' despite the crisis of being with the NDA at the Centre under Mr. A. B. Vajpayee's leadership and being `expelled' from it in Tamil Nadu. Asked if there could be any reconsideration of the MDMK's decision to sever ties with the DMK, Mr. Vaiko said, ``the battle lines have been drawn and there is no going back''.

Mr. Vaiko said the Union Minister, Mr. Ram Vilas Paswan, heading the Lok Jan Sakthi, had spoken to him today, adding it could join the MDMK-front. ``Some others also may join us which will become clear in another two days'', he added.

Meanwhile, the State units of the Shiv Sena and the Janata Dal (United) have appealed to the MDMK general Secretary, Mr. Vaiko, to lead a front consisting of NDA constituents, which were not given due respect by the DMK in seat-sharing talks.

In separate press releases today, the State units criticised the DMK for not inviting their representatives for poll talks. They said though they were partners of the NDA Government at the Centre they were getting raw deal in Tamil Nadu. As the MDMK also received a similar treatment at the hands of the DMK, they wanted Mr. Vaiko to forge a new front with other `affected constituents' of the NDA for fighting the coming Assembly elections.

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