DMK has no locus standi for NDA leadership: Vaiko

By V.Ganapathy

PERAMBALUR, APRIL 22. The DMK had no moral right to claim leadership of the NDA in Tamil Nadu, after admitting the Puthiya Tamizhagam, and the Dalit Panthers of India, which till a few weeks ago were its severest critics and described the BJP as a `poisonous snake', Mr.Vaiko, MDMK general secretary, said today.

Addressing a series of wayside meetings in the Jayamkondam, Varahur, Ariyalur and Perambalur constituencies, Mr. Vaiko said the explanation by the PT and the DPI that they had no truck with the BJP and that they had alliance only with the DMK was amusing. The DMK had also offered about 40 seats to the TMC in a bid to woo that party to its fold, though its chief, Mr.G.K. Moopanar, and other leaders were among the worst critics of the BJP for the past many years.

Claiming that the MDMK's association with the NDA was based on basic principles and of a much longer standing, Mr.Vaiko said the DMK leader was worried about the close understanding and friendship between the BJP and the MDMK, and was hence trying his best to snap the ties. His efforts would not suceeed. It was the BJP's prerogative to raise the issue of ties between the NDA and the DMK, and he was not interested in embarrassing anyone by raking it up, Mr.Vaiko said.

Accusing the Chief Minister of edging out the MDMK from the NDA front in the State, Mr.Vaiko said Mr.Karunanidhi had done so even at the risk of losing the chance of forming a Government for, the Chief Minister was under the imaginary apprehension that he would stand in the way of the `coronation of his son'.

The MDMK leader, however, refrained from attacking the PMK and directly criticising the AIADMK leader, though the constituencies he toured were the strongholds of these two parties.

Mr. Vaiko said the choice before the electorate was simple: Whether to vote for a ``corrupt Government'' headed by the AIADMK, or a ``casteist'' front headed by Mr. Karunanidhi, or to elect the MDMK which would ensure a clean and transparent administration. The MDMK was supported only by the people and not by its own TV network or newspapers. In fact, it was the real people's front.

Mr. Vaiko appealed to the electorate to exercise their franchise, pointing out that in the past as many as 45 per cent had refrained from casting their votes. How could the people who were not prepared to spend a few minutes once in five years to cast their votes question or criticise the Government in power at all?.

Braving a hot sun, the MDMK leader addressed over 20 meetings from his van, and quite a large number of his supporters thronged the vehicle as soon as it arrived at various centres.

Syed Muthahar, reports from Tirunelveli: Mr. Vaiko, said the State is witnessing a silent wave favouring his party.

Speaking at a meeting in Sankarankoil town last night to introduce his party candidates of four southern districts, Mr. Vaiko said, the enthuasism now seen among the MDMK cadres was on a par with what was witnessed among DMK partymen prior to the 1967 elections. Had the DMK given the constituencies demanded by the MDMK, his party activists would have worked round the clock for the success of the NDA.

Mr. Vaiko said he stood for principle and never compromised on it. When, Ms. Jayalalitha was insistent on the dismissal of the DMK Government in 1998, he opposed the plea despite his party having then been an ally of the AIADMK-led front. The DMK belonged to lakhs of grass root level workers, but the leadership was now bent on making it a family affair.

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Section  : State Elections
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