In the backdrop of the DMK desperately seeking the support of the Congress for the June 27 Rajya Sabha polls from Tamil Nadu, senior DMK leader T.R. Baalu met defence minister and Congress alliance committee head A.K. Antony, ostensibly to hand over a cheque of `25,00,000 towards the Prime Minister’s Relief Fund on behalf of the DMK.
According to sources, the two discussed the prospects of an alliance for the forthcoming Lok Sabha polls.
The Congress is insisting on a prior understanding for the general elections in lieu of its support for Ms Kanimozhi, the DMK candidate for the Rajya Sabha polls.
Between the DMK and DMDK, the Congress prefers to ally with the DMK but it needs concrete guarantees for a tieup in the run-up to the next general elections, sources said. Sources also said that in the meeting that took place at the instance of the Congress, Mr Antony had proposed a formula on seat-sharing to Mr Baalu and asked him to discuss it with the DMK supremo and then get back to him.
Meanwhile, Sudeesh, brother-in-law of DMDK founder and actor-turned-politician Vijayakanth, also landed in the national capital to seek the support of the Congress. Five MLAs of the party had already met state Congress president Ganandesikan and submitted a requisition letter to that effect.
The DMK, which has 23 MLAs, has already won the support of MMK and PT which have two seats each taking its tally to 27. A total of 34 votes is required to elect an MP.
The DMDK enjoys the backing of 22 legislators as seven of his MLAs have turned rebels shifting their allegiance to the ruling AIADMK. The Congress has five MLAs and its support could turn out to be crucial. The PMK with three MLAs has decided to abstain.