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DINDIGUL: Tamil Nadu's governing DMK has rejected demands from a section of ally Congress's state unit for a share in power after this summer's assembly polls, with minister I Periyasamy asserting on Sunday that there "would be no coalition govt here". Speaking in Dindigul, Periyasamy pointed out that Tamil Nadu had always been governed by a single party and the tradition would continue even after the ensuing elections. This is the first time DMK has formally rejected the demand, which has gained traction over the past several months. Periyasamy, DMK deputy general secretary and rural administration minister, admitted that Congress was within its rights to put forth the demand but made it clear that CM M K Stalin wasn't inclined to accept.

"Tamil Nadu has always had single-party rule. The CM is firm on this," Periyasamy said.

Even within TN Cong, some do not press for a coalition government The remarks come amid the chorus for powersharing growing louder. Sections of Congress, including MP Manickam Tagore, have stressed that no party can win elections on their own in Tamil Nadu and the time has come for a discussion on coalition govts. Tagore had said the debate was no longer just about winning power but also about sharing it.

Although DMK has credited its alliance for its successive electoral victories, the party has consistently resisted power-sharing demands. DMK’s other allies, too, are divided on the issue — unlike Congress, VCK, Left parties and MDMK do not insist on coalition govts. Even within Congress, there are voices, including that of state chief K Selvaperunthagai, who do not press for the demand. However, AICC incharge for Tamil Nadu, Girish Chodankar, has pushed for coalitions, suggesting political parties should call themselves “NGOs” if they declare they don’t want power.

With inputs from agencies