AIADMK hits out at DMK, says Stalin-led party is "weak"

Chennai: The AIADMK Tuesday mocked at its arch rival DMK for trying to form a grand alliance of Opposition parties in Tamil Nadu, saying it was doing so since it was "weak."

"Only the weak enlist the support of other parties and those who are strong do not have a necessity to do it... we are strong always," senior AIADMK leader and Fisheries Minister D Jayakumar told reporters here after a party meeting of district secretaries and senior office bearers.

The Minister made the remark when asked on the DMK appearing set for alliance with several other Opposition parties in the state besides its present allies the Congress and IUML.

"We are ready to face bypolls (to 20 constituencies in Tamil Nadu) whenever it comes, be it alongside Parliamentary polls or ahead of it," he said adding in Tamil Nadu it is always "the wave of Amma."

Eighteen Assembly constituencies were declared vacant after the disqualification of AIADMK MLAs -who represented these segments- were upheld recently by the Madras High Court.

Two other seats fell vacant following the recent deaths of sitting legislators M Karunanidhi (Tiruvarur) and AK Bose (Tiruparankundram).

The meet of AIADMK leaders was to accelerate party work further ahead of the election, the Minister said.

Asked if his party would forge ties with the BJP for Parliamentary election, Jayakumar said such decisions would be taken by the party only during the Parliamentary polls.

"This is not the right time to talk about it... after declaration of election, party bodies like the general council will decide whether to forge ties or not," he said.

He ruled out having any truck with rival leader T T V Dhinakaran's Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam for polls.