By Shafee Ahmed Ko, TwoCircles.net,
Chennai: The Tamil Nadu Muslim Munnetra Kazhgam (TMMK) and All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhaga (AIADMK) of former chief minister J. Jayalalithaa are coming closer in a bid to form an alliance to take on the ruling Dravida Munnettra Kazhagam (DMK) in the assembly elections in 2011.
TMMK president Prof. M.H. Jawahirullah recently met Jayalalithaa along with his senior party leaders including TMMK general secretary S. Hyder Ali at the former CM’s Poes Garden residence in Chennai. They believed to have discussed alliance and strategy to lay bare DMK of Chief Minister M Karunanidhi in the forthcoming Assembly elections.
Talking to TwoCircles.net Prof. Jawahirullah justified his close-up with AIADMK saying: “Ms. Jayalalithaa is very much in public eye after her successful massive “price rise rally” in Coimbatore on 21st July, just two days before her arch rival Karunanidhi showcased historical Classical Tamil Meet. Vaiko, the leader of MDMK, and the Left parties are already with her party. Besides, K. Krishnasamy, leader of the Puthia Tamizhagam which came into political arena in the year 1998, has also had a similar discussion with Ms. Jayalalithaa.” They all are trying to fortify a common agenda to eliminate DMK, said Prof. Jawahirullah indicating he is ready to be part of the alliance against the ruling DMK and he offers reasons for it.
“Although few Muslims have associated themselves with DMK, and there are few seats allotted as MLAs and MPs but these are the bone of contention with no major benefit gained by Muslims”, he observed.
He further said that his party has constantly protested against the state government’s indiscriminate vending of liquor in the state and Samacheer Kalvi (Equitable System of Education) implemented from this current academic year, where minority languages are ignored as examination subjects especially Urdu being the medium of instruction in BUMS, the medical course in Unani system. But these issues have been ignored by the DMK. The government to be formed after eliminating DMK will ensure a better future for Muslims, Prof Jawahirullah said.
As far as TMMK is concerned, Prof. Jawahirullah said he feels bitter with DMK on the account of it being partner of BJP government in 1998. However, he did not mention that Jayalalithaa was also once part of BJP government at the centre.
The TMMK leader urged the AIADMK leader to impress upon the UPA government to implement the Ranganath Mishra Commission report. He hoped his tie-up with Jayalalithaa will boost the fight for minority rights.