Kanimozhi to become Union Minister? DMK cosying up to BJP; new political move in Tamil Nadu

CHENNAI: The stage is set for a new political movement in Tamil Nadu. Discussions have purportedly begun to bring MK Stalin's DMK into the NDA camp. The discussions are being held through O. Panneerselvam, who joined the DMK recently. Panneerselvam, the former Chief Minister of the state, was the NDA candidate in the last Lok Sabha elections.

If DMK comes to the fold, the NDA will gain strength in the Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha. In the wake of losing power in Tamil Nadu and last-minute abandonment by the Congress, a section of the DMK demands that the party favour NDA instead for political gains. DMK leaders who had earlier criticised the BJP have suddenly turned reticent on matters concerning the saffron party.

The Muslim League and VCK parties, which were part of the 'India' front at the national level, joined the TVK ministry. The CPM and CPI parties provided support to TVK from outside. Among the parties currently represented in the assembly, the DMDK is the one that is aligning with the DMK. The DMDK was part of the NDA until the last elections.

The DMK, which opposed the Delimitation Bill, has now expressed its willingness to support it with conditions, which is also a sign of the new softening approach. The DMK has 22 MPs in the Lok Sabha and eight in the Rajya Sabha. Therefore, the BJP will need the support of the DMK while passing important bills. DMK MP Kanimozhi recently attended the tea reception hosted by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla.

Kanimozhi to become Union Minister

If the DMK decides to join the NDA before the cabinet reshuffle, two DMK members, including parliamentary party leader K. Kanimozhi, may become Union Ministers. The portfolios of more than 20 Union Ministers are being changed in the reshuffle.