The DMDK, which won 29 of the 234 seats in the last assembly polls, was being courted by the DMK, the BJP and the MNK. (File photo)
After weeks of speculation and wooing by various political parties, DMDK chief actor Vijayakanth announced on Thursday that his party will go it alone in the coming assembly polls in Tamil Nadu - paving the way for a multi-cornered contest.
Explaining the background to the party decision, Vijayakanth said his partymen were confused when TV channels owing allegiance to select political parties aired views according to their "whims" on the party's probable decision, reported news agency Press Trust of India.
The DMDK -- which had won 29 of the 234 seats in the last assembly polls -- was being courted by the DMK, the BJP and the MNK.
The party had a tie-up with the AIADMK for the 2011 assembly polls. But the two parted company a year later. For the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, the DMDK had joined hands with the BJP, but drew a blank.
This time, senior BJP leader and Union Minister Prakash Javadekar had met Vijayakanth in a bid to revive ties.
But the biggest disappointment was reserved for the DMK, which was very optimistic of an alliance with the Captain, as Vijayakanth is fondly called. "The fruit is ripe and will fall in the milk anytime," DMK chief M Karunanidhi had recently said.
The PMK has already announced it would contest elections alone.
With Vijayakanth's announcement, Tamil Nadu could witness a six-cornered contest between the AIADMK, DMK, DMDK, PMK, MNK and the BJP.
The BJP has very little presence in the state and it is not clear if it would join hands with any regional party or try to cobble an alliance with smaller parties.
The forthcoming elections will also see several Chief Ministerial aspirants -- besides Jayalalithaa, there will be DMK chief Karunanidhi and PMK leader Anbumani Ramadoss. Reports say MDMK chief Vaiko, VCK leader Tirumavalavan and Mr Karunanidhi's son MK Stalin too aspire for the hot seat.
Lately, Tamil Nadu has witnessed a change in guard every five years, the fragmented opposition this time has boosted the hopes of the ruling AIADMK for a second consecutive term.
The DMK is hoping for a comeback, claiming anti-incumbency and the people's anger over the ruling AIADMK's handling of last year's floods in the state.