The Tamil Maanila Congress (TMC) is likely to be part of the AIADMK alliance with intense speculation doing the rounds that an understanding has been arrived at between the two parties through back-ch
The Tamil Maanila Congress (TMC) is likely to be part of the AIADMK alliance with intense speculation doing the rounds that an understanding has been arrived at between the two parties through back-channel talks.
Sources in the TMC said party president G.K. Vasan is himself spearheading talks with the AIADMK and that a meeting between him and chief minister J. Jayalalithaa might take place as early as Thursday. The fact that Thursday is an auspicious day owing to amavasya also added credence to the speculation about the meeting.
“The talks are on. We are hoping for a favourable decision. If the talks succeed, then Mr Vasan will meet Ms Jayalalithaa on Thursday,” a senior TMC leader told this newspaper. The TMC launched back-channel talks with the AIADMK after the ruling party announced its candidates for 227 constituencies, virtually shutting the doors on the party.
The sources said the TMC conveyed through an emissary, who is close to Ms Jayalalithaa, that they were ready to accept around 14 seats, which the AIADMK has offered to the party. The TMC had earlier demanded nearly 20 seats but the demand did not go down well with the AIADMK leadership.
The decision to re-launch talks with the AIADMK was taken after there was significant opposition within the TMC to the idea of aligning with the People’s Welfare Alliance led by DMDK chief Vijayakanth. Several leaders opposed the idea saying there was no chance of winning seats in that alliance.
The sources said the AIADMK could offer 14 seats to the TMC and allow it to contest in its own “coconut farm” symbol.
Mr Vasan had on Tuesday said a decision on the alliance question would be taken in the next few days.
