‘Elections can come at any time’: MK Stalin warns Vijay’s TVK govt in Tamil Nadu may not last its five-year term

NEW DELHI: Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) president MK Stalin on Sunday questioned the stability of actor-politician Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK)-led government, claiming it may not complete its full five-year term and urging party workers to prepare for elections that, he said, could be announced at any time.Stalin made the remarks while addressing a membership induction programme at Sri Vaaru Marriage Hall in Chennai’s Vanagaram, where more than 5,000 leaders and workers from various political parties joined the DMK under the leadership of former AIADMK minister Benjamin.“Let us look at the reality. The present ruling party did not win a majority to form a stable government on its own strength,” news agency PTI quoted the former chief minister as saying.“This is a shaky setup. We do not know at which junction or turning this vehicle is going to lose its balance and come to a sudden halt. Therefore, I am telling you, elections can come at any time. It could happen in three months, or it could happen in six months. We cannot afford to wait for a five-year cycle,” he added.Calling on the newly inducted members and party cadre to remain election-ready, Stalin said the DMK should begin groundwork immediately instead of waiting for poll dates to be announced.“I call on party workers to gear up for the electoral battle. Elections could be announced at any time. The election may come in three months or after six months. Whenever it comes, we must be 100 per cent prepared. From this moment onwards, work sincerely for the party’s victory, and your recognition will come to you,” news agency ANI quoted him as saying.He further said, “We must be 100 per cent prepared for any political eventuality. We cannot start preparing after the election dates are announced. Let this mega induction event serve as the moment we take a solemn pledge to begin our field work for the DMK’s thumping return to power, starting this very minute.”The remarks come amid shifting political equations in Tamil Nadu. On Saturday, Vaiko’s MDMK walked out of the DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance and extended its support to the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam.TVK, which fell short of a simple majority in the local body council, later secured the required numbers with the support of the Congress, Left parties, VCK and IUML. All four parties had contested the April 23 elections as part of the DMK-led alliance before breaking ranks to back Vijay’s party.