Chennai: Former Union Minister GK Vasan's Tamil Maanila Congress has joined the DMDK-led People's Welfare Front or PWF - also known as the Vijayakanth Front - in Tamil Nadu. His party will contest on 26 seats.
Mr Vasan met DMDK chief Vijayakanth to discuss seat sharing today.
PWF leaders led by MDMK Chief Vaiko also met him at his party headquarters.
The DMDK which was to contest on 124 seats has now reduced it to104 seats to accommodate Mr Vasan's party. The remaining six seats for TMC are adjusted from the alliance - the Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK), Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), CPI and CPM - which will now contest on 110 seats.
Initially, the TMC was keen to join hands with the ruling AIADMK led by Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa. Sources said the alliance did not go through as Ms Jayalalithaa wanted TMC to contest on AIADMK's symbol of two leaves, while the TMC wanted to contest on the party's new symbol - coconut grove.
Ravi, a former MLA from the VCK said, "This third front would set history in Tamil Nadu".
Mr Vasan's father and veteran leader, G K Moopanar had launched the TMC in 1996 after quitting the Congress. After his father's death, Mr Vasan had merged the party with the Congress. The DMK-Congress had swept the 2006 Assembly polls winning 163 of the 234 seats.
In 2014, Mr Vasan had parted ways with the Congress alleging "lack of respect".
Tamil Nadu is heading for a 5-way contest. Besides the AIADMK alliance and the PWF, the Pattali Makkal Katchi or PMK and the BJP are fighting alone.
Mr Vasan met DMDK chief Vijayakanth to discuss seat sharing today.
PWF leaders led by MDMK Chief Vaiko also met him at his party headquarters.
Initially, the TMC was keen to join hands with the ruling AIADMK led by Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa. Sources said the alliance did not go through as Ms Jayalalithaa wanted TMC to contest on AIADMK's symbol of two leaves, while the TMC wanted to contest on the party's new symbol - coconut grove.
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Mr Vasan's father and veteran leader, G K Moopanar had launched the TMC in 1996 after quitting the Congress. After his father's death, Mr Vasan had merged the party with the Congress. The DMK-Congress had swept the 2006 Assembly polls winning 163 of the 234 seats.
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Tamil Nadu is heading for a 5-way contest. Besides the AIADMK alliance and the PWF, the Pattali Makkal Katchi or PMK and the BJP are fighting alone.
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