Karunaas, MJK leader Ansari back DMK front

Chennai: Manithaneya Jananayaga Katchi (

MJK

) leader Thamimun

Ansari

and Mukkulathor Pulipadai leader

Karunaas

, who had contested and won in the AIADMK symbol in 2016, extended their support to the DMK on Monday. Both had come out of the AIADMK alliance recently.

Sources in the DMK said representatives of Ansari and Karunaas called on DMK organising secretary R S Bharathi at Anna Arivalayam separately and submitted letters, extending their support to the DMK alliance. Sources said both the leaders sought tickets from the DMK, but Ansari faced strong opposition from other Muslim parties in the alliance – IUML and MMK. The DMK is yet to take a decision on Karunaas’ request for ticket.

Karunaas has vehemently opposed chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami for providing 10.5% internal quota for vanniyars in the MBC. It would harm the interests of other sub-sections in the MBC, he charged, adding that the sub-quota was created on the eve of polls with the sole aim of appeasing vanniyars. Ansari had opposed the AIADMK for supporting the CAA bill in the Parliament.