Alliance with Congress intact, no scope for power-sharing: CM Stalin

Amid some apparent strains in ties with the Congress over power-sharing, ruling DMK president and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin on Wednesday asserted that the alliance was “intact,” but firmly ruled out accommodating allies in the cabinet. Congress MP from Tamil Nadu’s Virudhunagar, Manickam Tagore, a vocal proponent of power-sharing, said that it was up to the people to decide whether it was single party or coalition government. Actor Vijay-led TVK said allies being denied cabinet representation was “against social justice” as they play a key role in the alliance’ victory.
Stalin maintained that the alliance with the grand old party was free from confusion. Tamil Nadu Congress Committee President K Selvaperunthagai responding to the comment made by Stalin said, the chief minister has made his observation on the topic. “Two things you have to understand. Every party has its own opinion. Our party leaders voice their view. Chief Minister has made his comment and the prevailing situation in Tamil Nadu. Everyone including our AICC high command and the CM will sit and discuss and take a good decision,” he told reporters at the Congress party office in Chennai.He further said some people are expecting to see whether there will be a crack in the alliance between Congress and DMK due to these developments. “There is no such opportunity for that,” he said.
In the past months, this is the first time the chief minister has asserted that there is no possibility of sharing power, a concept alien to Tamil Nadu’s political history that has been dominated by the Dravidian parties since 1967. Amid a war of words between a section of leaders from the DMK and the Congress over power-sharing and increased seat allotment, the ruling party chief also asserted that the alliance was going strong.
DMK leads the Secular Progressive Alliance (SPA) in the state and the multi-party bloc won the 2021 polls handsomely, trouncing the AIADMK. During the interactive session, Stalin said the forthcoming polls in Tamil Nadu would not be more difficult than the 2021 Assembly election for his party. Citing a survey, he said the DMK alliance is leading with 45 per cent support ahead of the Assembly elections in the state. The DMK is a movement and that would always be with the people.