The SDPI has entered into an alliance with TTV Dhinakaran's Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (AMMK) for the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. SDPI leaders met AMMK chief TTV Dhinakaran in his office and sealed the alliance on Thursday. AMMK has allotted six constituencies to SDPI.
Prior to this, the SDPI was in talks with Kamal Haasan to enter into an alliance with his Makkal Needhi Maiyam (MNM). However, Tamil Nadu SDPI President Nellai Mubarak later confirmed that the party had entered into an agreement with the AMMK. With the new alliance with AMMK, SDPI has been given Alandur, Ambur, Trichy North, Thiruvarur, Madurai Central and Palayamkottai.
On Wednesday the AMMK released its first list of 15 candidates who will contest the upcoming elections. Former state Ministers, P Palaniappan, G Senthamizhan and C Shanmugavelu will contest from Pappireddipatti, Saidapet and Madathukulam respectively, AMMK General Secretary Dhinakaran said in a party release. S Anbazhagan and K Sugumar, both former MPs, have been fielded from Rasipuram and Pollachi segments respectively.
The AMMK has also entered into a tie-up with Asaduddin Owaisi's AIMIM, allotting it three seats namely Vaniyambadi, Krishnagiri and Sankarapuram.
On March 12, Owaisi and TTV Dhinakaran announced that they will be addressing a mega public rally in Chennai. Owaisi has said he will reveal at the rally how the DMK, whom he was in touch with for an alliance, treated his party.
Although the AIMIM was keen on joining the DMK alliance, the other Muslim parties such as the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) and Manithaneya Makkal Katchi (MMK) were not comfortable with Owaisi’s party joining the DMK alliance.
Sources had earlier told TNM that DMK’s TR Baalu was in touch with Owaisi for a long time but later suddenly abandoned talks.
Justifying his alliance with AMMK, Owaisi had on Tuesday said, “We will give a third alternative. TTV Dhinakaran will speak about other political parties that will be a part of this alliance. I know others are in touch with him. TTV has proved his ability in RK Nagar bye-polls and won it”.
Tamil Nadu goes to polls on April 6, while the counting of votes will take place on May 2.
