TVK, Partner Parties Move to Formalise Electoral Alliance Ahead of Upcoming Elections

Chennai: Tamil Nadu's ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) and its allied parties have decided to formally convert their informal existing partnership into a formal electoral alliance as they prepare for the upcoming elections, several media has reported.

The decision was taken at a coordination meeting chaired by Chief Minister and TVK president C Joseph Vijay at a private resort in Mamallapuram on Wednesday. Leaders from the Tamil Nadu Congress Committee (TNCC), Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) and Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK) attended the discussions.

According to reports, the alliance partners agreed on three key measures to strengthen coordination before the polls. These include setting up a coordination committee, drafting a common minimum programme to guide the coalition's agenda and selecting a common name for the alliance.

TNCC president Manickam Tagore told reporters that the decisions were aimed at ensuring that all alliance partners worked together on shared principles. Responding to questions on whether TVK would eventually become part of the INDIA bloc, Tagore said that the issue could be considered after the party secured representation in Parliament, while the present focus remained on consolidating a state-level front.

As per reports, Vijay assured alliance partners that the government would continue to uphold secularism, social justice and corruption-free governance.

VCK general secretary D Ravikumar told media that Vijay had shortlisted three possible names for the alliance and would hold consultations with partner parties before taking a final decision.

It has also been reported that the IUML sought the formation of district-level coordination committees in addition to the proposed state committee to facilitate cooperation during local body elections.

Reports suggest that the Left parties, which also met Vijay earlier in the day, reiterated their willingness to extend issue-based support to the government and back it through its full term, while deciding to not be a part of the alliance.