TAMIL NADU is going to witness a direct contest between the DMK-TMC combine and the AIADMK-led front. While the former includes traditional allies like the CPI, Indian National League, Forward Bloc as well as the new entrant CPI(M), the AIADMK front will have the MDMK, the rebel Congress led by Vazhapadi K. Ramamurthy, Subramanian Swamy’s Janata Party and the BJP. The Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK), which has a sizeable Vanniyar following in seven northern districts, has also joined the Front. All this, of course, means that the Congress, which had already become a rump of a party, is now in ruins in Tamil Nadu.