DMDK Rebels Float New Party, Veterans Quit Tamil Maanila Congress

Supporters angry as Tamil Maanila Congress Chief GK Vasan and DMDK’s Captain Vijaykanth join People’s Welfare Front.

After a stormy week for dissenters within the Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK), the rebel MLAs led by Chandrakumar (DMDK’s former chief whip) held a meet at Tyagaraya Nagar on Monday to launch a ‘Makkal DMDK’ front, as reported by The News Minute. The rebels are unhappy with the seat-sharing agreement that was inked between the Vijayakanth-led DMDK and the constituents of the four-party People’s Welfare Front (PWF) — MDMK, VCK, CPI, CPI (M) — at the DMDK headquarters in Koyambedu in March.

Clarifying that they left the party not because of a grudge against Vijayakanth but because of Captain Vijayakanth’s wife Premalatha’s antics, rebel MLA Parthiban said Premlatha had fallen into a trap set by Vaiko.

Six months back, Jayalalithaa had given Rs.1500 crores to Vaiko to float a new alliance to split votes. We are sure at least Rs. 750 crores was exchanged to break DMDK-DMK alliance. Vaiko simply acted as a political broker. AIADMK had offered us 15 crore rupees to switch loyalties and harassed us as we spoke against them. DMDK is failing because of Vijayakanth’s indecisiveness and Premalatha’s ill-advised decisions. The contest has always been and always will be between the AIADMK and the DMK. DMDK-PWF will vanish. We are now expecting more district secretaries to join our new front..

Chandrakumar