Chennai: Determined to wrest power from the AIADMK, the principal opposition Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) initially extended an invite to AIMIM leader Assasudduin Owaisi to accommodate him in the grand secular alliance. It was for the January 6 rally of the DMK's minority wing named, 'Idayangalai Inaippom' (Connecting Hearts).
On New Year Day, DMK's minority wing secretary Dr. Masthan called on Owaisi at Hyderabad and the latter too accepted the invitation and assured to participate. However, the Dravidian major had to back off and issue a denial that no invite had been extended following stiff resistance from its Muslim allies, including the IUML and Indian National League (INL).
With elections just a few months away, the January 6 rally is intended to consolidate and showcase the DMK's support among the minorities, especially the Muslims. As such, the party was keen to have Owaisi on board and its minority wing secretary Dr. Masthan called on the AIMIM leader. But, the bonhomie was short-lived and the DMK made a hasty U-turn as it had earned the wrath of its current Muslim allies. The IUML, Manithaneya Makkal Katchi (MMK) and INL were taken aback at this development and expressed their displeasure. They were not opposed to sharing the stage with Owaisi, considered as a spoiler of secular votes. And the DMK was left with no other option but to back off.
Leaders of the IUML and MMK had even planned to meet DMK Chief M.K.Stalin to inform him that they could not expect to sup with Owaisi and would prefer to stay away.
In a statement, INL state president Tada Rahim said, “We disapprove the DMK inviting Owasi to the proposed DMK’s meeting. It appears that the DMK is trying to reduce the seats for Muslim parties that are already in the secular alliance. It is an attempt to scare us. AIMIM has no base in Tamil Nadu and its victory in Bihar is an accident.”
READ: AIMIM chief invited for DMK's conference on January 6
To assuage the ruffled feelings of the allies with whom the DMK had secured a massive mandate in the 2019 LS polls, issued a statement making it clear that other than its existing partners' none other had been invited.
Owasi’s AIMIM was considered a spoiler in splitting votes. In the recent Bihar assembly election, the AIMIM had bagged 5 seats and was criticized as the BJP’s ‘B’ team for splitting minority votes which would have gone for Mahagathbandhan.
Last month, there were reports of the AIMIM contesting in the Tamil Nadu assembly polls which might eat into the minority votes of the DMK. No wonder, the New Year Day meeting of a frontline DMK functionary with Owaisi had created unease among its allies.
Analysts are of the view that better sense had prevailed in the DMK and the Dravidian major had decided against accommodating Owaisi.
“The DMK's move to form a grand alliance is welcome. But, the presence of Owaisi would have proved counterproductive and exposed the party to criticism from the BJP,” explains Dr. R Thirunavukkarasu, teaching sociology at the Hyderabad Central University.
“As Congress is weak across the country, the DMK is trying to fill that gap by inviting all into a single platform. But, sensing the danger lying ahead, the DMK had made a hasty retreat. AIMIM and BJP are two sides of the same coin,” he reasoned.
