DMDK Chief Vijayakanth’s announcement to contest alone in the upcoming elections had sent shockwaves among Tamil Nadu’s political leaders. While his announcement sent political circles into a tizzy the BJP and PWF seemed to read the announcement as a positive sign, while the DMK was particularly crestfallen.
“We would have been happy if DMDK joined the BJP alliance. However, we are happier that they didn’t join hands with DMK,” said BJP State unit president Tamilisai Soundararajan told the New Indian Express.
Convener of People’s Welfare Front (PWF) and MDMK general secretary, Vaiko also seemed to see it in a positive light, welcoming the decision. The announcement he said, has “demolished the day dreams” of a few who tried to use DMDK to capture power. "In one stroke, he has vanquished the air castles that some had built," he said to the Times of India.
On Vijayakanth’s wife Premalatha’s invitation to like-minded parties to approach the DMDK for an alliance, Mr. Vaiko said it was a “positive move”.
PWA leader Thol Thirumavalavan of VCK said this would lead to a “healthy contest”, while ally CPI State secretary R Mutharasan claimed the decision had not disappointed them.
As for the DMK, they had this to say - “Of course, we are upset and it will take a few days for our cadres to recover from the disappointment. But the DMDK’s decision also has ended our agonising wait. At least now he has revealed his decision. We have plenty of time before us and we can go ahead with our preparations for the polls,” a district secretary from North Tamil Nadu told the Hindu.
The DMK district secretary also added that the party was unable to understand how Vijayakanth would make a difference with his limited vote share and that now, he can only play spoilsport.
AIADMK spokesperson C R Saraswathi told The New Indian Express that the election would expose the DMDK’s true strength. The two parties contested and won handsomely last elections, but had a bitter parting soon afterwards.