Lok Sabha elections: Vijayakanth’s DMDK begins talks with BJP

CHENNAI: In what could end suspense over the prolonged talks, actor Vijayakanth's DMDK on Thursday announced that it has begun talks with the BJP to strike an electoral deal for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

"The party has decided to align with the BJP for the 16th Lok Sabha polls and talks have begun," said a party release.

The statement has come in the midst of hectic parleys between leaders from both sides over the last one week. Insiders say the actor has clinched a deal for 14 Lok Sabha seats. "Talks are on to finalize the constituencies," a DMDK leader said.

The announcement has dashed hopes of the DMK and the Congress, which were sending repeated feelers to the actor for the coming together.

The BJP is putting a formidable front with the likes of Vaiko's MDMK and the DMDK, besides the KMDK and the IJK.

In a related development, PMK's administrative council, which met at Tindivanam on Thursday, authorized party founder S Ramadoss to take a decision on alliance.