2019 general elections: DMDK tries to save face after talks fail with DMK

 Vijayakanth-led DMDK is expected to formally announce its alliance with the AIADMK tomorrow and accept the four seats it was offered. Its bargaining chip of using DMK to get more seats from the AIADMK failed after DMK president M K Stalin officially announced today that his party will contest in all the remaining 20 seats in the 2019 general elections.

Over the course of the last one month, the visitors’ list to Vijayakanth’s house in Saligramam had the names of Deputy Chief Minister, a BJP Union Minister and DMK president.

Political parties left, right and centre came knocking on DMDK’s door with offers to woo it into their alliance. The party was trying to milk the situation to its advantage by seeking more seats from the AIADMK by saying that they would join the DMK if they were not given what they wanted.

But the door was shut yesterday after DMK treasurer Duraimurugan exposed an alleged ‘double game’ played by the DMDK. Duraimurugan alleged that the DMDK breached their trust by holding talks with the AIADMK at the time they were holding talks with DMK.

DMDK partymen, led by Murugesan, a former MLA and secretary of Kanchipuram district unit, called on Duraimurugan to convince Stalin for an alliance. Duraimurugan told mediapersons later that he tried to call up Stalin but he was sleeping. He added that it was not an issue worth disturbing him while he was having his nap.

Following this, DMDK deputy general secretary, L K Sudish, former MLA Parthasarathy and Murugesan met with party high comman to discuss the future course of action. Sources say that they have decided to go with the AIADMK offer of four seats.