The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) asked Left parties to support an All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam-led government from outside, according to M. A. Baby. However, the Left parties rejected the idea and instead decided to support actor-turned-politician C. Joseph Vijay and his party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam.

Speaking to HT on Friday, Baby said the DMK wanted the AIADMK to approach the Governor and stake claim to form the government in Tamil Nadu.

“DMK wanted us to support the AIADMK government. But it would have been an opportunistic alliance,” Baby told HT.

His remarks came at a time when political speculation was growing over a possible understanding between the DMK and AIADMK after the Tamil Nadu Assembly election produced a hung House.

Left backs Vijay, not AIADMK

After the election defeat on Monday, the DMK leadership had publicly stated that the party would sit in the opposition benches instead of trying to form the government. Despite that stand, rumours continued to circulate that the two major Dravidian rivals could work together to prevent Vijay’s TVK from taking power.

However, the CPI(M) leader’s comments suggested that the Left parties were unwilling to support such a political arrangement. Instead, the Left chose to extend support to Vijay as TVK moved closer to the majority mark in the Assembly.

No decision on joining government

When asked whether the Left parties would become part of a future TVK-led government, Baby said no decision had been taken yet.

“Let TVK govt be formed. Other things come later. No decision on it now,” he said.

Earlier on Friday, the Communist Party of India and the Communist Party of India (Marxist) held a joint press conference and clarified that they would not join the government in Tamil Nadu.

Both parties announced that they would extend support from outside instead of seeking cabinet positions.