Small parties make AIADMK a big alliance

Chennai

The smaller parties, a majority of them being usual supporters, made a beeline to the AIADMK with some expecting to get at least one seat to contest in the May 16 election.

Of the seven smaller parties that proclaimed their support to the AIADMK, N Sethuraman led All India Moovender Munnani Kazhagam (AIMMK) was allotted one seat (Tiruchuli) in the 2011 assembly elections by the AIADMK. However, the party lost it.

Other old allies, Tamizhaga Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam of John Pandian and Moovendar Munnetra Kazhagam led by Sridhar Vandaiyar were among those who met Jayalalithaa at the Poes Garden and extended their support. While John Pandian unsuccessfully contested on AIADMK symbol from Egmore constituency in 2001, Sridhar Vandaiyar unsuccessfully contested on the ‘Two Leaves’ from Tiruverumbur segment in 2006. Poovai M Jaganmurthy led Puratchi Bharatham Katchi, K Sell amuthu led Uzhavar Uzhaippalar Katchi and Indian Union Muslim League General Secretary A S Fathima Musafar also extended their support. Apart from this, the breakaway faction of Manithaneya Jananayaga Katchi led by Thamim Ansari also supported  the AIADMK.

Leaders of all these smaller parties who met the AIADMK Supremo individually requested her to allot seats for their parties. An AIADMK release said that Jayalalithaa thanked all these smaller parties for their support.