Even as Chief Minister and DMK president M Karunanidhi maintained that the alliance with the Left parties in the state was intact, sources in the Communist parties said an official line has not been taken on the continuance of the partnership, adding that it would be untenable to continue in an alliance of which the Congress was a major constituent.

Though the Left has not yet taken on its allies over the trust vote, state leaders conceded that an understanding like the Democratic Progressive Alliance (DPA) would be difficult before the next election.

In fact, the understanding has been gradually falling apart in recent times. First to go was the MDMK, whose leader controversially aligned with the AIADMK in the last Assembly elections after jumping off the DPA wagon. Next was the PMK, which was eased out for flouting the alliance dharma — the party was often severly critical of the DMK. Now, with the CPI(M) and CPI also parting ways, the DPA is virtually non-existent except for the DMK-Congress tie-up.

However, due to the ground realities, the Left leaders are not expected to unleash their wrath on the DMK, unlike its reaction towards the Congress. Though there is no visible alliance now between the AIADMK and BJP, CPI(M) leaders here are pointing to the fact that both parties had similar views in some of the key issues. “The AIADMK and BJP have opposed the Sethu Samudram project on religious grounds. At present we are not in favour of any pact with the AIADMK for the same reasons,” said a party veteran.

... contd.