Chennai: While the Communist Party of India (CPI) and the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPM) have announced that they will hold meetings to decide on extending support to the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), the long-term Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) ally Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) has rejected the request of TVK for an alliance in the state.
TVK's Search for Support
After TVK fell short of the magical number of 118 seats in the recent elections, the party, led by actor Vijay, sent letters seeking support to DMK allies. The TVK is now looking to form a government with the backing of other parties, but the response has been mixed.
CPI's Stance
CPI state secretary M Veerapandian stated that they will hold meetings to take a decision on whether to extend support to TVK or not. "We will convene the executive committee to discuss providing support to TVK on Friday. The outcome of the meeting will be discussed in the governing council meeting on Saturday and state council meeting on the ensuing days," Veerapandian told TOI.
CPM's Position
CPM sources also said that they would hold talks. "We will have the state secretariat and executive committee meetings on Friday to take a call," they said. CPM state secretary P Shanmugam noted that so far, CPM is still a part of the DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance, indicating that any decision to support TVK would require careful consideration.
IUML's Firm Rejection
IUML national president K M Khader Mohideen, however, had a firmer stance. He unequivocally stated that the party will continue to support DMK. "Our alliance is not just for the election, but an ideological alliance. We started our alliance at the time of Anna (the late CM C N Annadurai), and continued it during the times of Kalaignar (the late CM M Karunanidhi). It continues with chief minister M K Stalin, and will continue in the future too," Khader Mohideen said, emphasizing the long-standing ideological bond between IUML and DMK.
The developments come as TVK seeks to expand its political footprint, but the reluctance of key DMK allies to shift support highlights the challenges the party faces in building a coalition.
