In a flip-flop of sorts, DMK has embarrassed AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi by withdrawing an invite it had extended to him on Friday. Owaisi was invited to attend a meeting scheduled for January 6 in Chennai to be chaired by DMK chief M K Stalin. The invitation was extended by DMK’s secretary for Minority Welfare Mastan who met Owaisi in Hyderabad.
This has not gone down well with the Muslim leaders of party and also annoyed DMK alliance partners IUML and MMK. Incidentally, AIMIM had announced earlier that it will contest the forthcoming assembly elections in Tamil Nadu. The news regarding Owaisi agreeing to attend the January 6 meeting had triggered speculation regarding a possible tie-up between AIMIM and DMK.
Mastan has said in a press release now that stories about Owaisi being invited were not true. Only the alliance partners will attend the meeting chaired by DMK chief Stalin.
Regarding future plans for the forthcoming assembly elections, AIMIM Tamil Nadu unit chief Vakeel Ahmed said the party may put up candidates in 25 to 30 constituencies. Incidentally, AIMIM had won five seats in the Bihar assembly elections a couple of months ago. It had put up an impressive show in e elections for the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC).
In Tamil Nadu, the alignments of different political formations is not clear yet and Stalin is making the first serious attempt to get to the top post. The BJP wants to contest these elections but its electoral ties have not been decided yet.
