AIADMK, PMK seal ‘natural alliance’: Edappadi K Palaniswami says front aimed at ousting DMK; likely to meet Amit Shah today

CHENNAI: AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami on Wednesday announced an alliance with the Anbumani Ramadoss-led Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK), terming it a “natural alliance” aimed at unseating what he described as the DMK’s “anti-people” regime and forming a strong government in Tamil Nadu.The alliance had been forged in keeping with the wishes of leaders, functionaries and cadres of the constituent parties, Palaniswami told the media persons at his camp office in Greenways Road. PMK leader Anbumani Ramadoss was present alongside him. “The AIADMK and the BJP have already come together. With the PMK now joining the alliance, it has become stronger. This is a natural and victory-oriented alliance formed to defeat the DMK’s anti-people government. More parties are likely to join us soon,” Palaniswami said.He said the allies had arrived at a broad consensus on seat-sharing, with details to be announced shortly. Stressing coordinated campaign efforts, Palaniswami said cadres and functionaries of the AIADMK, BJP and PMK would work “day and night, like a bee”, to ensure victory in the forthcoming Assembly elections and facilitate the return of an AIADMK-led govt.Calling it a “happy moment”, Anbumani said the PMK had decided to align with the AIADMK-led front to remove what he termed a “corruption-ridden” DMK regime. He alleged that the present government was against social justice and had failed farmers, fishermen, government employees and the working class.“There is palpable anger among the people against this government. They are waiting for the elections to remove it from power. We are set to witness a massive victory,” Anbumani said.The two leaders, however, declined to respond to questions on internal differences within the PMK or whether efforts were under way to bring senior Ramadoss, the party’s founder, into the alliance.Meanwhile, sources in the AIADMK and the BJP said Palaniswami, along with senior leader SP Velumani, was expected to leave for Delhi later in the day to hold talks with Union Home Minister Amit Shah. Velumani had earlier held extensive discussions with Shah during the latter’s two-day visit to Tiruchi for party programmes.