Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], July 1 (ANI): Tamil Nadu Congress president Manickam Tagore on Wednesday said that the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK)-led alliance partners discussed the formation of a coordination committee and decided to have a common minimum agenda and a name for the coalition.
Addressing a joint press conference of TVK, Congress, VCK, IUML and MDMK after the alliance's first coordination meeting, Manickam Tagore said, "This is the first meeting, and it's a good start for our alliance. After 50 days of this TVK government, the first meeting went well today on a positive note. We have discussed three things today. We need a coordination committee. We need a common minimum agenda. To have a name for this alliance."
Tagore also hinted at inducting the TVK into the INDIA bloc in future.
"Whoever has MPs in our alliance, they will be inducted into the INDIA alliance. Soon, the next meeting will be held, and it will be announced to all of you," he said.
The Congress had exited the DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance (SPA) in Tamil Nadu and joined hands with the TVK to form a government in the state. Thereafter, the DMK skipped the INDIA bloc meeting held on June 8, citing "betrayal" by the Congress.
The fallout had highlighted the cracks in the INDIA bloc. However, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which is not part of the Opposition alliance, and the DMK signed the INDIA bloc's letter to the Chief Justice of India, expressing concerns over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls.
Meanwhile, TVK, Congress, VCK, IUML and MDMK leaders displayed their strength at the joint press conference.
While Congress, VCK, IUML and the Left parties extended support to the TVK during the floor test, Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK) was the recent one to quit the DMK-led alliance. MDMK chief Vaiko on Saturday announced that his party has decided to extend support to the TVK in the upcoming by-elections and local body elections.
The show of strength also came at a crucial juncture when three individuals were arrested in connection with an alleged attempt at political horse-trading of TVK MLAs. (ANI)
