In a calculated move, the DMK chief brought up the contentious Sethusamudram Shipping Canal Project, bearing in mind that the Left, Congress and DMK are on the same side of the debate on the issue against the AIADMK, which favours a line similar to the BJP.
The Left and DMK are part of the DPA in the state and contested the last general elections together, in which they swept all the 40 seats. However, since the trust vote in Lok Sabha, when the two voted differently, there have been whispers about a possible change in electoral understanding.