PMK joins AIADMK front in Tamil Nadu

The Patali Makkal Katchi, a constituent of the ruling United Progressive Alliance at the Centre has joined the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam-led front in Tamil Nadu as the party's top policy making body, the General Council, voted on Thursday in favour of the tie-up.

The meeting, was attended by all senior leaders, including PMK founder Dr S Ramadoss and his son and Union Health Minister Dr Anbumani, aligned with the AIADMK, which has reportedly offered seven Lok Sabha seats and one Rajya Sabha seat, party sources said.

After the meeting, Ramadoss would call on AIADMK supremo Jayalalithaa to ink the seat sharing pact, the sources said. Jayalalithaa has also invited Marumalarachi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam leader Vaiko and leaders of Communist Party of India-Marxist and CPI, allies of AIADMK, for tea on Thursday evening. Jayalalithaa would sign the seat sharing agreements with these parties,AIADMK sources said.

Being the new moon day, considered auspicious as per the Tamil almanac, Jayalalithaa, a firm believer in astrology, would clinch the deals today itself, they said. Of the 40 Lok Sabha seats in Tamil Nadu and neighbouring Puducherry, the MDMK is likely to be given five seats, the CPI-M three and the CPI two, party sources added. Meanwhile, actor-politician Vijyakant, who is being wooed by Congress, is also likely to make an announcement on his party's stand when he launches his DMDK's campaign in Kanyakumari on Thursday evening.