Stakes high for AIADMK, DMK as TN goes to polls

Dethroned in 2011 and battered by full-blown sibling war between his two sons -- Treasurer M K Stalin and expelled Madurai strongman M K Alagiri -- DMK patriarch M Karunanidhi is working hard to revive the electoral fortunes of his party after consciously dumping its decade-old ally Congress, apparently apprehensive of UPA's anti-incumbency factor.

DMK's success in this election also rests on the stand Karunanidhi's rebellious son Alagiri adopts as the latter has been vocal that DMK candidates, especially in Virudhunagar, Theni and Thanjavur, should lose.

DMK has taken local players like VCK, MMK, IUML and Puthiya Tamizhagam on board in its Democratic Progressive Alliance (DPA) in an apparent bid to net minority and Dalit votes and challenge AIADMK in this election, which is crucial for both Dravidian outfits with the next Assembly polls due in just two years.

BJP, which managed to stitch up a six-party 'rainbow' alliance, roping in cine star-turned-politician Vijayakant's DMDK, Vanniyar community backed PMK among others, expects the combine to pose a hurdle for AIADMK and DMK in some constituencies, having presented a third alternative.

The saffron party, riding on the 'Modi' wave and the support base enjoyed by its allies has been dreaming of sending MPs to the Lok Sabha after a long time from Tamil Nadu, where its run remained on a barren stretch so far after the AIADMK and DMK kept away from it.