Chennai, Jan 22 (IANS) Dismissing speculation that the Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK) is set to join the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), party General Secretary Premalatha Vijayakant on Thursday made it clear that no alliance talks have taken place so far and that no NDA leader has approached the party.

Speaking to reporters at the DMDK headquarters in Koyambedu, she said neither Union Minister Piyush Goyal nor any other NDA representative had contacted her or the party, either directly or over the phone.

Rejecting media reports suggesting otherwise, she said there had been absolutely no communication on a possible alliance. “I have clarified this many times. Journalists seem more interested in our alliance than our own party cadres,” she remarked.

“We have not received any call or message from the NDA. No one has approached us,” she said.

Premalatha also sought to put an end to speculation linking the DMDK to parallel talks involving the AIADMK or the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). “As of this minute, there have been no discussions with either the AIADMK or the BJP,” she said, adding that any alliance decision would be taken only after detailed consultations with district secretaries and would be officially announced by the party.

Interestingly, even as she dismissed alliance speculation, Premalatha praised the ruling DMK government for its handling of recent law and order incidents.

She lauded the Tamil Nadu Police and the state government for swiftly arresting the accused in the killing of an LIC manager in a fire sabotage incident in Madurai.

She also expressed grief over the deaths caused by a helium gas cylinder explosion during a festival in Kallakurichi, welcoming the government’s decision to extend compensation to the families of the victims.

On Piyush Goyal’s visit to Chennai, Premalatha said she was unaware of the purpose of the trip. “He has not spoken to me. I do not even know why he has come here. I only came to know through media reports that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is visiting Chennai on the 23rd,” she said.

Premalatha added that the DMDK would undertake a statewide campaign from January 24 to February 2, and that alliance-related decisions, if any, would be taken only after internal deliberations following the campaign.

–IANS

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