DMK speedens up alliance works, inks pact with one more partner

The main opposition Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, perhaps taking a cue from the ruling AIADMK which fast completed seat sharing pacts with its partners, has speedened up alliance talks for the Lok Sabha elections. A couple of days after signing pact with Congress allocating 10 seats to the national party, the MK Stalin-led party on Friday reached an electoral agreement with the Indian Union Muslim League whereby the latter gets to contest in one seat in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

The DMK, in a statement, said an agreement has been reached with IUML after talks. As per the agreement, IUML will contest in one seat from Tamil Nadu. In a surprise development, Stalin on Friday visited Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam chief Vijayakanth at the latter's residence in Chennai. Amid speculations that Stalin was there to invite Vijayakanth's party to the DMK-Congress alliance, Stalin denied this and said he was there to enquire the health condition of Vijayakanth.

"When Kalaignar (DMK supremo M Karunanidhi) passed away, Vijayakanth condoled it in an emotional away. I came here only to enquire his health condition. I didn't speak politics," he said.
Stalin recently sprang a surprise in Tamil Nadu political arena, by inviting ideas from the public for his party's Lok Sabhe elections manifesto. He said in a tweet: "Do you have ideas & dreams for our Tamilnadu? Would you like them to be a part of the election manifesto of the DMK? We are keen on hearing you."

Stalin, who is the Leader of Opposition in Tamil Nadu Assembly, added: "Do send your ideas to [email protected] & #DMKmanifesto2019 Let’s together serve our great state!"