AIADMK-DMDK alliance talks underway: OPS

Deputy Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam on Monday met Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK) Chief Captain Vijayakanth.

After the meeting, Panneerselvam told media here, "Talks of the alliance are underway. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is coming here on March 6, by then everything will be finalized as we have an event on that day where all alliance parties need to be present.

"Today, I have come to check on his health status. It was a courtesy call," he added.

On February 19, the AIADMK formally joined the NDA. Under the joint agreement, the BJP will contest five out of the 40 Lok Sabha seats in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. The party will also support the AIADMK in the by-polls which will happen for 21 constituencies in Tamil Nadu.

Another regional party in the fray, the Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK), led by S Ramadoss, will support the BJP-AIADMK front in the state in the General elections.

The party, which has a strong vote base in northern Tamil Nadu, especially among the OBC Vanniyar community, will contest on six Lok Sabha seats and will be given one Rajya Sabha seat.