In a significant political development in Tamil Nadu, the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) on Saturday formally severed ties with the DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance (SPA), ending an association that had lasted for nearly six decades.
The decision was taken during the party's general council meeting held in Chennai, where 14 resolutions were adopted. One of the key resolutions approved by the council was to discontinue the party's association with the DMK alliance following its support for the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) government.
IUML president KM Khader Mohideen said, "Today we conducted the general council meeting, and out of the 500 members, 483 of them participated. As many as 14 important resolutions were passed in this meeting."
"Respecting the mandate given by the people in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election, the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) extended its support for the formation of the TVK government and is currently a part of the administration led by C Joseph Vijay. In the present political circumstances, we can't continue our association with the DMK alliance. This meeting resolves that a decision regarding the electoral alliance will be taken once the by-elections and local body elections are officially announced," ANI quoted Mohideen.
Why IUML backed TVK
The IUML had contested the Assembly elections as part of the DMK-led alliance and emerged victorious in both the constituencies allotted to it, Vaniyambadi and Papanasam.
Explaining the rationale behind the decision, IUML National President KM Kader Mohideen said the party had benefited from its long association with the DMK-led front and had secured representation at various levels of government through the alliance.
"Political circumstances have changed. We expected the continuation of the Dravidian model of governance, but the people's mandate was different. When TVK fell short of an absolute majority, IUML extended support to ensure political stability and to avoid the possibility of President's Rule in Tamil Nadu," he said.
Although TVK emerged as the single-largest force by winning 108 Assembly seats, it fell short of the 118-seat majority mark. The party later secured support from Congress, CPI, CPI(M), Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), and IUML, enabling it to form the government.
Following its support to the TVK government, IUML MLA AM Shahjahan was inducted into the state cabinet as Minister for Minorities Welfare.
DMK Reacts
Responding to IUML's exit, DMK spokesperson TKS Elangovan said the development was not unexpected.
"They (IUML) have already withdrawn and joined the TVK alliance, and they have even got a cabinet berth. What can we do. Our relationship with the IUML dates back to the days of Quaid-e-Millat. Now that they have withdrawn, what can we do. We will see whether it helps them or not. It is not going to help them," IANS quoted Elangovan.
IUML's exit marks another setback for the DMK-led alliance. In recent weeks, both the CPI and CPI(M) also formally ended their association with the Dravidian party.
At present, the DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance primarily consists of the MDMK led by Vaiko and the DMDK headed by Premalatha Vijayakant.