With the Congress putting its power-sharing chorus on the backburner after DMK deputy general secretary Kanimozhi’s meeting with Rahul Gandhi in Delhi, formal seat-sharing talks between the long-standing allies are expected to resume shortly.
“My talks with Rahul Gandhi were very warm and cordial. Our relationship with the Congress is strong and cordial as ever. We are long standing allies. There is no need for me to revive or confirm it. The Congress and DMK have been part of an alliance for many years and there is no irritant or rift between us,” Kanimozhi, who is heading the DMK’s manifesto preparation committee, told reporters in Tirunelveli.
On the speculation that some more parties are entering the DMK-led alliance, she said, “Certainly, there is a possibility of a few more parties joining us. But, who would get accommodated will be decided by Chief Minister MK Stalin. He will announce it at the appropriate time.”
It is believed that the DMDK of Premalatha Vijayakanth and the Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) faction led by party founder S Ramadoss are likely to board the DMK bandwagon.
To a question about Congress leader Manicakm Tagore’s remark that self-respect is important, she said, “Self-respect is important for all. No one can say that dignity and self- respect aren’t important.” Tagore had made that remark irked by a comment by a DMK leader of Madurai that the Congress is dependent upon the Dravidian major.
Meanwhile, putting on the backburner the demand for power sharing, TNCC president K Selvaperunthagai, exuded confidence of resuming seat-sharing talks in a week’s time. “We are not exerting any pressure on the DMK. There is no rift between the two parties. We will get what we ask. The DMK will give us,” he said, hinting that in lieu of a share in power, the Congress would get more seats to contest.
Taking a dig at AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami (EPS), he said unlike EPS who covered his face while coming out after a meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Kanimozhi didn’t go covering her face to meet Rahul Gandhi. “It was all transparent. There is nothing to hide,” he added.