Where Are Our Friends?

CM J. Jayalalitha didn’t have a great 58th birthday (Feb 24). Despite faithfuls like AIADMK presidium chairman K. Kalimuthu publicly wooing MDMK’s Vaiko, and the efforts to win over or split the PMK in the last few months, Amma hasn’t been able to attract a single major ally from the seven-party DMK-led Democratic Progressive Alliance. All she has to show for her efforts is the Dalit Panthers Iyakkam (DPI) led by Thol. Thirumavalvan. DPI, in the news mostly for the wrong reasons, like the anti-Khushboo campaign a few months ago, has been allotted nine seats. Actor Vijaykanth and his new Deiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam could also sign up. Despite the thousands of crores in sops, and Jayalalitha’s fervent hopes of "allying with the people of Tamil Nadu", the AIADMK’s zero tally in the 2004 Lok Sabha polls must be weighing heavy on her.