PMK invites parties sans BJP for 2016 polls alliance

Charting its own course for the 2016 Tamil Nadu assembly elections, PMK, an ally of NDA, today invited eight smaller parties to be part of a front to be led by it to put an end to the alternate rule by AIADMK and DMK since 1967.
PMK founder leader Dr S Ramadoss gave an open invitation at the party general council meeting held here, saying "it is the need of the hour that all the parties came together."
PMK, which fought the Lok Sabha polls in April as part of the BJP-led NDA, has invited eight parties virtually elbowing out the Saffron party, relations with which have come under strain on several issues including 'Hindi imposition'.

The party had not made it clear if its relationship with the BJP still continued.
It has also not invited either the MDMK led by Vaiko, or its traditional rival the DMDK of actor-turned politician Vijaykant, both are also NDA partners.
However, PMK has invited Indiya Jananayaka Katchi (IJK),and the Kongu Makkal Desiya Katchi, both part of the NDA.

Besides IJK, the PMK chief also invited DMK's ally Puthiya Tamilagam, and Gandhiya Makkal Katchi led by Tamilaruvi Manian, who played a crucial role in helping BJP head a rainbow alliance in the state.
However, the alliance could win only two seats -- one each by BJP and PMK -- with AIADMK sweeping the 37 other.

Interestingly, the party did not officially name former Union Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss as it chief ministerial candidate as demanded by partymen in the executive committee meeting yesterday.
In a resolution today, the PMK said "ending the regimes of the AIADMK and DMK which have been in the saddle of power since 1967 in Tamil Nadu is its goal."
The resolution also said "it has decided to forge a political front by organising parties committed to the growth of Tamil Nadu."
"The political front to be formed led by PMK will take forward development goals," the resolution said.
It strongly criticised both the ruling AIADMK and its arch rival the DMK for "ruining" Tamil Nadu by alternately ruling it for almost 50 years.

Criticising the 'freebies' of the Dravidian majors, PMK said if voted to power it would only provide "free and quality education to all, free comprehensive health care, free farm inputs to incentivise that sector." Also, it would bring total prohibition.