Talks between the AIADMK and the Tamil Maanila Congress (TMC) seems to have broken down with the ruling party insisting that the Congress breakaway should contest the Assembly elections under the ‘two leaves’ symbol.

A senior TMC leader confirmed that party president G.K. Vasan has turned down AIADMK’s proposal and has told its leadership that unless the TMC was allowed to contest in its own symbol, the deal cannot go through.

This decision was communicated to TMC functionaries on Thursday morning at a hurriedly-organised meeting. “At the moment, it is 99 per cent sure that a deal with the AIADMK is not possible. Unless the ruling party climbs down from its position and agrees to allow the TMC to contest in its own symbol, we do not see a way,” said a senior leader and added the onus was now on the AIADMK to make the alliance possible.

Sources said the AIADMK made it clear that it wanted to contest all 234 seats in the ‘two leaves’ symbol in the upcoming elections to maximise its chances of a major victory. Despite weeks of negotiations, the AIADMK refused to relent, said TMC leaders.

If the deal with the AIADMK does not work out, the only remaining option for the TMC was the People’s Welfare Front. PWF sources said VCK leader Thol. Thirumavalavan spoke to Mr. Vasan on Tuesday night and renewed the invitation to Mr. Vasan.

[Source:- The Hindu]