Feb. 15: AIADMK chief Ms Jayalalithaa on Tuesday inked seat-sharing agreements with two Dalit parties, the Puthiya Tamizhagam and Republican Party of India, kicking off her election work at her signature speed, even as the rival DMK-led front is still engaged in exploratory manoeuvres.
True, she too has a few imponderables, such as the alliance with DMDK of ‘Captain’ Vijayakanth, who may now feel the pressure on him to hasten his moves towards her camp.
Ms Jayalalithaa’s first poll pact was with Mr C. K. Tamilarasan of the RPI to give him one seat. He is likely to contest from K. V. Kuppam, a newly carved out reserve seat in Vellore district. Next, she signed with PT leader Dr K. Krishnasamy to allocate two seats.
As a former legislator of Oddapidaram in Tuticorin district, he may return to contest there. He is likely to seek Vasudevanallur (SC) in Tirunelveli district. The PT enjoys support among Devendrakula Velalars, known as Pallars, a dominant SC sub-sect in the southern districts, while Mr Tamilarasan belongs to another Dalit sub-sect, Parayar, dominant in north Tamil Nadu.
An elated Tamilarasan told DC, “I’m thrilled that Amma signed the pact with me. I do not know what else to say.” When asked whether he would contest in the AIADMK symbol or choose an independent identity, he said, “I have no issues. I will abide by what Amma says.” Dr. Krishnasamy said a decision on symbol was yet to be taken.
Though she has only signed with two minor players now, Ms Jayalalithaa appears be sending out a signal to Mr Vijayakanth that he needs to hurry up his act. He has been bargaining hard for ‘a respectable number of seats’, starting his demand with 80 seats but now sources say he might settle for around 45.
They also say that Ms Jayalalithaa is all set to finish her seat-sharing exercise and hit the campaign road on February 24, her birthday.
Source: http://www.deccanchronicle.com
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