Chennai, June 30 (IANS) The ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) has initiated the process of formalising its political alliance by bringing together its friendly parties under a common state-level front ahead of upcoming electoral contests, including local body elections and possible Assembly bypolls.

Chief Minister and TVK president C. Joseph Vijay will chair a meeting of leaders of friendly parties in Chennai on July 1, marking the first major effort to institutionalise the coalition that supported the formation of the TVK-led government.

Although the proposed front is yet to be given an official name, senior party leaders said it would function under a shared political platform based on common ideological principles rather than being limited to electoral cooperation.

Secularism is expected to be one of the key guiding principles of the proposed alliance.

As part of the outreach, TVK general secretary and minister N. Anand, along with the party’s general secretary (Election Management) and Minister Aadhav Arjuna, have been personally meeting leaders of the friendly parties to invite them to the meeting.

The two leaders met Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) president Thol. Thirumavalavan on Sunday, followed by Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) state president K.M. Kadhar Mohideen and Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK) general secretary Vaiko on Monday.

According to senior TVK functionaries, the meeting is aimed at creating a structured coordination mechanism among parties that have so far supported the government but have not functioned under a formal alliance.

Besides electoral coordination, the proposed front is expected to facilitate joint political campaigns and coordinated responses on issues of common concern.

A senior TVK leader said that although the parties have extended support to the government since its formation, they have largely operated independently and have not jointly organised political movements or statewide protests.

Establishing a formal front would enable better coordination and present a united political voice on key issues, the leader said.

A senior VCK leader, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the party had effectively been functioning alongside the TVK even without a formal alliance announcement.

“Our leader has consistently maintained that the VCK can participate in the government while remaining outside a formal alliance. However, in reality, the alliance has already taken shape. What remains is to officially acknowledge and formalise it,” the leader said.

–IANS

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