LS polls: DMDK extends support to PMK in Puducherry

Chennai: In a boost to PMK, its ally DMDK on Friday extended support to the Ramadoss-led party for the April 24 Lok Sabha polls to Puducherry.

The decision ends suspense over its stand in the Union Territory where two NDA allies have fielded their candidates.

"DMDK has decided to support PMK candidate RKR Anandharaman in Puducherry for the Lok Sabha polls," party founder Vijayakant said in a statement, even as it had reportedly earlier decided to maintain neutrality.

After sewing up a six-party alliance in Tamil Nadu after much haggling involving DMDK and PMK over constituencies-- both remained adamant over LS seats including Salem which delayed alliance formation-- BJP's efforts of putting up a united show in the neighbouring union territory failed as both ruling AINRC and PMK have fielded candidates, insisting both were done under the NDA banner.

BJP is supporting AINRC while its ally MDMK, led by Vaiko is also backing the PMK candidate.

A total of 30 candidates including those from AINRC, AIADMK, DMK and PMK are in the fray in this Union Territory.