DMDK Rebels Float New Party, Veterans Quit Tamil Maanila Congress

Supporters angry as Tamil Maanila Congress Chief GK Vasan and DMDK’s Captain Vijaykanth join People’s Welfare Front.

(Photo: The News Minute)

After a stormy week for dissenters within the Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK), the rebel MLAs led by Chandrakumar (DMDK’s former chief whip) held a meet at Tyagaraya Nagar on Monday to launch a ‘Makkal DMDK’ front, as reported by The News Minute. The rebels are unhappy with the seat-sharing agreement that was inked between the Vijayakanth-led DMDK and the constituents of the four-party People’s Welfare Front (PWF) — MDMK, VCK, CPI, CPI (M) — at the DMDK headquarters in Koyambedu in March.

Clarifying that they left the party not because of a grudge against Vijayakanth but because of Captain Vijayakanth’s wife Premalatha’s antics, rebel MLA Parthiban said Premlatha had fallen into a trap set by Vaiko.

Six months back, Jayalalithaa had given Rs.1500 crores to Vaiko to float a new alliance to split votes. We are sure at least Rs. 750 crores was exchanged to break DMDK-DMK alliance. Vaiko simply acted as a political broker. AIADMK had offered us 15 crore rupees to switch loyalties and harassed us as we spoke against them. DMDK is failing because of Vijayakanth’s indecisiveness and Premalatha’s ill-advised decisions. The contest has always been and always will be between the AIADMK and the DMK. DMDK-PWF will vanish. We are now expecting more district secretaries to join our new front..

Chandrakumar

Hitting out at Tamil Maanila Congress Chief GK Vasan’s decision to join the front he said it was embarrassing to watch Vasan say he will work to defeat the AIADMK when he was waiting outside Poes Garden for an alliance with the party a few days ago. Poes Garden is the residence of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa.

Pledging solidarity with the DMK, Chandrakumar said the front was ready to meet Stalin or Karunanidhi if they were called on and to contest the elections if they get a chance. “If Vijayakanth rethinks and join DMK, we will follow his lead. Only DMK can bring political change.”

We have not taken a single rupee in all of this. Can Vaiko, Vijayakanth or Premalatha promise the same? Vaiko’s son-in-law has invested Rs.450 crores in a private firm very recently. I’m ready to furnish all the property details of all my family members, but will Vaiko ever do the same?

Chandrakumar on Vaiko

Meanwhile, cracks are also appearing within the Tamil Maanila Congress. In fact, Tamil Maanila Congress MLA Peter Alphonse, who has been vocal about his displeasure on the party joining the DMDK-PWF front, has quit the party.

He had previously spoken out against the alliance to a Tamil news channel, saying the front was not ready to face the elections. “They have been around for barely a few months, and have very little to show for. I do not have faith in this alliance, I never thought that we would be in a position like this.”