DMDK, DMK forge first-ever poll pact

CHENNAI: Premallatha Vijayakant sought to evoke emotion and nostalgia while addressing reporters at Anna Arivalayam on Thursday. But what stood out was pure politics: Her party, DMDK, had for the first time since Vijayakant founded it in 2005, forged an alliance with DMK.“This was to happen in 2016,” she said, about the talks then DMK president M Karunanidhi had with Vijayakant. “After 10 years, it’s happening now with the blessings of Kalaignar and Captain,” she said. Premallatha had been holding talks with both the big alliances in Tamil Nadu. Thursday, after calling on CM MK Stalin at DMK headquarters, she said the decision was in line with the wishes of a majority of DMDK functionaries and cadres.Stalin welcomed DMDK with a post on X. “Let your arrival into the DMK alliance contribute to the development of the state. We will continue to travel together for the all-round growth of the state.”After meeting Stalin, Premallatha said the two sides would soon discuss seat-sharing. On reports DMDK may get a Rajya Sabha seat, Premallatha said Stalin would make an “official statement”.Recollecting Karunanidhi’s famous statement “pazham nazhuvi paalil vizhum (the fruit will slip and fall into the milk)”, referring to an “imminent alliance” that did not materialise, Premallatha said now the fruit had truly slipped and fallen into “honey-laced milk”. She added an emotional element to the alliance, citing ties between the two families. “You all know our marriage was presided over by Kalaignar (Karunanidhi), and our wedding reception was held at Anna Arivalayam,” Premallatha said. DMDK cadres celebrated the alliance by bursting firecrackers and distributing sweets.While Premallatha said the alliance would win over 200 seats, deputy CM Udhayanidhi Stalin said DMDK’s entry added strength to the alliance.