DMDK rebels form new outfit ‘Makkal DMDK’

Expelled from the party last week for challenging the leadership’s decision to go with Vaiko led People’s Welfare Front for the May 16 polls, the rebels met here on Sunday this morning and floated the new outfit with the “sole objective of overthrowing the incumbent AIADMK regime.” Significantly, Chandhirakumar refused to define his new outfit as a political party and told DT Next, “It is a movement, not a party. Our sole aim is to get rid of the ruling AIADMK.” 

Asked if he would work with the DMK to overthrow the ruling AIADMK, the former DMDK whip described Karunanidhi as a very senior politician and said, “DMK is the only option available to unseat the AIADMK.” Perhaps wary of his former party colleagues and a PWF leaders’ criticism that he was acting at the behest of DMK, Chandhirakumar quickly added, “If invited, we will meet the DMK leaders.” If both party sources are to be believed, DMDK rebels might meet DMK leaders in a few days and extend support to the party. Sources also suggest that Chandhirakumar and another rebel leader could be offered MLA tickets in the DMK alliance. 

Notably, Chandhirakumar continued his verbal assault on PWF convener Vaiko, who, he blamed, had lured the DMDK into the alliance to ensure an electoral advantage to the AIADMK. Addressing a large gathering of party cadre, who, he claimed, would number around 3,500, Chandhirakumar said, “We expected only 1,500 party men, but the number has more than doubled. Many more disgruntled party functionaries want to join us, but Captain and his wife are personally calling and preventing them from leaving the party.”