Tamil Nadu’s principal opposition party AIADMK on Wednesday released its first list of candidates for 16 Lok Sabha constituencies.
While releasing the list, AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K. Palanisami also confirmed the party’s alliance with late Vijayakanth’s Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK) and allotted five seats to it. It has allotted one seat each to Dr Krishnasamy’s Puthiya Thamilagam and Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI). SDPI is known to be the political arm of the Popular Front of India (PFI).
“AIADMK will always stand on its own leg. If anyone comes to our alliance, we will welcome them. This purely depends on each party's decision. We can't force any party. We believe we are strong. We believe people will support us. We are not bothered about what people talk on social media. We are in an alliance with the people,” Palaniswami told the media as he released the first list of candidates. He also said that the party doesn’t have any disappointment after PMK left the alliance to join BJP-led NDA.
AIADMK has nominated ‘Royapuram’ R. Mano, who was formerly with the Congress from Chennai (North), Dr J. Jayavardhan, former MP and son of senior AIADMK leader D. Jayakumar from Chennai (South), Dr P. Saravanan from Madurai. Saravanan was with the DMK and later with the BJP before joining the AIADMK. The first list of the AIADMK comprises functionaries from the party’s youth wing.
Krishnasamy was allotted Tenkasi, which is considered his strong hold, while Dindigul has been allotted to the SDPI. Tamil Manila Muslim League and Manitha Neya Jananayaga Katchi are also in alliance with the AIADMK.
After walking out of the NDA in September 2023, the AIADMK has been maintaining that it is not against the minority community. Incidentally, accommodating the SDPI and the TMML in the alliance is also seen as a move to appease the Muslim vote bank in the state, which had moved to the DMK-Congress combine since the death of Jayalalithaa.
