DMK treasurer M.K. Stalin has hinted at a broad alliance led by his party against the ruling AIADMK in the 2016 Tamil Nadu Assembly polls. He is thereby seeking to turn the strident anti-AIADMK stand of the Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK), the Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK) and the Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK) in his party’s favor.

However, Indian media reports that it was still not clear whether leaders of these parties, nurturing their own ambition in State politics, will reciprocate positively to Stalin’s plans.

Both PMK leader Dr. S. Ramadoss and DMDK leader Vijayakant are keen on projecting their respective parties as an alternative to the DMK and the AIADMK in the next Assembly polls. The PMK, led by Vaiko, is now part of the BJP-headed NDA alliance at the Centre. Nevertheless, PMK is talking about leading a front in the State. It has been in dispute with the BJP primarily over the Central Government’s policy on Sri Lanka.

Even as he recalled the pro-DMK stand taken by the DMDK in the Assembly when his party was under attack in the House by the ruling party, Stalin was appreciative of the roles of Dr. Ramadoss and MDMK general secretary Vaiko, Indian media reported.

“They speak up for us when we were subjected to oppression in the Assembly and in a similar manner, we also lent our support to them. I hope a change preferred by the people of Tamil Nadu will happen,” Stalin has said in a freewheeling chat in ‘Akkini Paritchai,’ broadcast by ‘Puthiya Thalaimurai’ channel.

Stalin said it was Dr. Ramadoss who first advocated the idea of “making me the deputy chief minister” to lessen the burden of Karunanidhi when the DMK was in power. Stalin also lauded Dr. Ramadoss’ friendly attitude towards other political parties and leaders, while pointing out the recent meeting between him and Karunanidhi.

He also made it clear that there was no personal animosity between him and Vaiko despite the fact he left the DMK to launch MDMK, complaining that the DMK had sidelined him. “When he was arrested under POTA, our leader visited him in the Poonamalle court. I also congratulated him after he was acquitted,” Stalin has said.

Stalin, however, refused to comment on his relationship with his younger brother, M.K. Alagiri, saying, that he was no longer a party man as he was expelled from the DMK for anti-party activities.

Alagiri and Stalin are both sons of the DMK leader Karunanidhi.