Tamil Nadu: Opposition’s Show Of Strength At Anti-Mekedatu Protests Against Dam On Cauvery River

In a demonstration of unity, opposition parties that are expected to form alliances ahead of the Lok Sabha polls in 2019 in Tamil Nadu held a protest against Karnataka’s plan to build a reservoir on the Cauvery River, The Economic Times has reported.

DMK treasurer and senior leader Durai Murugan described parties such as Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi and MDMK as “friendly parties”, and said that questions on their alliance could only be addressed before the poll and not before.

MDMK chief Vaiko, responded to Murugan’s statement by saying that DMK president M K Stalin needed to clarify the status of parties such as MDMK regarding their electoral ties to the DMK.

“In the context of uncertainty over the constituents of the DMK-Congress alliance, the coming together of all Opposition parties now serves a necessary symbol for the forthcoming election season,” said Americai Narayanan, Congress spokesperson.

The unveiling of the statue of late DMK supremo M Karunanidhi on 16 December is also being considered as a platform for the opposition parties including the DMK to showcase their strength before the elections. The event is also expected to solidify the coalition between the Congress and the DMK while also expanding the alliance’s appeal to other state outfits.