DMDK to contest polls with Vaiko’s alliance; Vijayakanth CM candidate

Chennai, March 23

Actor-turned-politician Vijayakanth, popularly known as 'Captain', has announced his party — the Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK) — would join the People’s Welfare Party alliance to fight the forthcoming assembly elections, with the actor as chief ministerial candidate.

The new partnership will make the alliance —  which already has Vaiko’s Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK), the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and the Communist Party of India — a powerful electoral force.

The PWP has been trying to persuade the DMDK — Chief Minister Jayalalithaa’s former ally — to join them for months.

The announcement may come as a disappointment to Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Dravid Munnetra Kazagham (DMK), both of which have been trying to woo Vijayakanth.

The BJP meanwhile, has announced it would contest the elections with its allies of 2014 Lok Sabha elections.

DMK patriarch M Karunanidhi said he hoped the actor would join them even on Tuesday, although son Stalin — the DMK treasurer — was quick to clarify that his father only mentioned an invitation already extended to the actor.

The DMDK had announced on March 10 that it would contest elections alone, but had indicated it would be willing to tie-up with anyone who was willing to accept Vijayakanth as chief ministerial candidate. However, his son and DMK Treasurer M K Stalin had yesterday sought to clarify that Karunanidhi had only mentioned about an invitation extended to Vijayakanth earlier and no fresh initiative had been taken now. 

Tamil Nadu will vote on May 16.— PTI