Congress, DMK to fight Assembly polls together

AICC general secretary Ghulam Nabi Azad formally announced the coming together of the two parties for the upcoming polls after calling on DMK president M Karunanidhi in the city on Saturday morning. 

“Our goal is to put in place a DMK-led government. We are more than sure that we will form a government under the leadership of the DMK,” the AICC general secretary told reporters, after emerging out of a 40-minute meeting with the DMK patriarch at the latter’s Gopalapuram residence. However, Azad denied discussing seats with Karunanidhi. 

Minutes after Azad sealed the poll pact and left Gopalapuram, DMK treasurer MK Stalin said, “Congress has promised full cooperation” to form a government led by the DMK. Evading a direct reply to a query on whether the Congress would demand share in power, Azad described it as a” small thing that does not matter now” and said, “That is not the only goal. Our main goal is to put in place a government led by the DMK.” 

Asked to explain the possibility of other parties, particularly the DMDK joining the DMK-Congress fold, he said, “DMK is the principal ally and they will decide on alliances issues.” 

The Congress negotiator, however, subtly hinted at the greater possibility of DMDK joining them by stating that the Congress and DMK were the oldest national and regional parties respectively and once both of them come together, more parties would join the front. 

Reacting to the same query, Stalin later told reporters, “Our leader Karunanidhi has already invited DMDK through you (media). That is sufficient. We will decide on the future course of action. We expect a favourable response (from Captain).” 

Azad was flanked by party in charge of Tamil Nadu Mukul Wasnik, TNCC chief EVKS Elangovan and CLP leader K Gopinath, while Karunanidhi had his MP daughter Kanimozhi to do the translation, and party treasurer-son MK Stalin to moderate the talks.