Many parties likely to join DMK-led combine for Tamil Nadu polls, says MK Stalin

Stalin claimed DMK may even exceed its target of winning 200 seats

DMK president and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin said on Tuesday that his party may open its doors for other political parties to join the Congress-DMK combine even as it begins the preparations for the next Assembly election.

He said that the party machinery was getting ready to meet the people and explain to them the achievements of his government.

Speaking to the reporters after the launch of "Oraniyil Tamil Nadu" election campaign of the ruling DMK, Stalin said, "The DMK has been readying for the poll for a long time... we may even exceed our target of winning 200 seats." Tamil Nadu has 234 Assembly seats.

"This initiative involves our election campaign, membership enrolment, and informing people about the 'injustice' meted out by the Central government to Tamil Nadu," he said.

"We will also highlight the achievements of the DMK government," the party president added.

Asked if there was a possibility of political parties joining the DMK camp, he replied, "There's a possibility given the present situation. But we will discuss including them when the opportunity opens up."

The Oraniyil Tamil Nadu campaign would continue for 45 days and a door-to-door campaign would be taken up from July 3. Party functionaries, state ministers and election-incharge would visit the people at their doorsteps and explain the anti-Tamil Nadu stance of the BJP-led government at the Centre, he said.

"This is an attempt to unite all the people of Tamil Nadu against the injustices that are being done to Tamil Nadu and fight against them. For instance, the Centre is working against us politically, culturally, linguistically, and economically," Stalin said.

Tamil Nadu, which was getting developed in all aspects was being neglected by the Union government in various ways. "All these are not mere political rhetorics but concern the rights of Tamil Nadu. This should be opposed by political parties and the people of Tamil Nadu. That is why we are going to meet the people regardless of their party affiliation," Stalin explained.

Asked if he would visit former Chief Minister and AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami's house, Stalin replied, "It depends on the circumstances. We have assigned the task to everyone (to meet people) in the party and they will go according to the situation. I will definitely go if I was in that area."

With inputs from PTI