INDIA Bloc in disarray: DMK boycotts June 8 meet citing ‘betrayal’ by Congress

Still seething with anger at the Congress party for ditching them to switch over to the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) of Vijay immediately after the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, the DMK on Thursday announced its decision to boycott the INDIA bloc meeting slated for June 8 in the national capital.

“It is decided not to attend the consultation of the INDIA bloc, in which the Congress is also participating, respecting the sentiments of the party cadre, deeply hurt and anguished at the betrayal of the Congress soon after the Assembly poll,” said a statement from the DMK headquarters, putting the future of the Opposition conglomerate into question.

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In an attempt to isolate the Congress at the national level, the DMK, once a pillar of the INDIA bloc, made it clear that it would join forces with the non-Congress Opposition on all vital issues confronting the nation. Having accused the Congress of backstabbing, the DMK clearly indicates that it is no longer prepared to break bread with its former ally.

The development came close on the heels of the DMK seeking a separate seating arrangement in Parliament so that the party MPs need not sit together with Congress in the Opposition benches. DMK parliamentary Party leader Kanimozhi wrote to Speaker Om Birla on May 7, shortly after the Congress dumped the DMK-led alliance to support the TVK. The same day, the DMK Legislature party meeting passed a resolution, strongly condemning the Congress for its act of betrayal in leaving the DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance.

The Congress breaking ranks with the DMK and embracing the TVK created a domino effect, with four other allies following suit, while the MDMK is likely to jump ship. The DMK finds itself isolated, left with only a few minor allies of little consequence, including the DMDK, which the TVK has not considered. No wonder that the wounded Dravidian major is moving away from the INDIA bloc, leaving it in disarray.