Stage set for TVK-led political front, CM Vijay will announce name of front soon

Chennai: The first meeting of TVK and its friendly parties, chaired by chief minister C Joseph Vijay on Wednesday, laid the groundwork for a new political front in Tamil Nadu.Speaking at the meeting, Vijay asked the leaders not to worry about stability of the govt at the meeting and expressed confidence of completing full term, said a leader who participated.

The discussions at the meeting focussed on three issues — constituting an alliance coordination committee, drafting a common minimum programme and finalising a name for the coalition.“The meeting was very cordial and ended on a positive note,” Tamil Nadu Congress Committee president Manickam Tagore, who has been designated as the proposed front’s media coordinator, told reporters after the meeting. He addressed a joint press conference alongside MDMK general secretary Vaiko, VCK president Thol Thirumavalavan, IUML president Khader Mohideen and TVK ministers Aadhav Arjuna and Arunraj.Congress leaders P Chidambaram and Praveen Chakravarthy, along with ministers and legislators from the alliance partners, also attended the meeting held at a resort near Kovalam on ECR. The meeting lasted for about 90 mts.All the parties participating in the meeting were previously part of the DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance, but have switched sides to back TVK govt. While Vaiko has formally announced MDMK’s exit from the DMK front, Thirumavalavan is yet to officially declare VCK’s departure from its nine-year alliance with DMK.

Tagore said they have not fixed a timeline for these tasks to be completed, but the name of the alliance would be announced at the next meeting.Congress MP Praveen Chakravarthy said this meeting was to firm up the Tamil Nadu alliance, which would be different from INDIA Bloc which is a national front. Once TVK gets MPs, the party would be invited to join the INDIA bloc, he said.Electricity minister R Nirmalkumar described the gathering as a meeting of “natural allies”.

He said all constituent parties participated with confidence and expressed satisfaction over the discussions. “Our leader will consult alliance partners further and announce the name of the front soon,” he said. He added that the coalition remained open to all secular parties that support secularism, clean governance and coalition politics.The leaders said that Vijay had asked them not to worry about statements by DMK leaders that the govt would collapse any time.

Assuring that he will ensure the stability of the govt, he had told them at the meeting that the govt would complete its full term.IUML leader and minister A M Shahjahan said Vijay assured alliance partners that his govt would remain firmly committed to secular principles. Sources said some allies also urged the TVK leadership to establish a structured mechanism for regular consultations and coordination among constituent parties.Congress MP Jothimani said Vijay has also promised that the govt will function in a transparent and corruption-free manner.