New rainbow coalition as TMC joins DMDK-PWF combine

April 9, 2016

Chennai, Apr 9: G K Vasan-led Tamil Maanila Congress (TMC) today joined the DMDK-PWF combine for the May 16 Assembly polls in Tamil Nadu, leading to the emergence of a new rainbow coalition under DMDK founder and its Chief Ministerial candidate Vijayakant.

Eventually, DMDK sacrificed 20 of the 124 seats allocated to it earlier, to be distributed among TMC and PWF members.

DMDK will now be in fray in 104 seats while Vaiko-led MDMK will contest 29 seats, according to the revised seat-sharing understanding arrived at today.

Disclosing the seat-sharing pact, MDMK founder and PWF Coordinator Vaiko said TMC has been alloted 29 seats while CPI (M), CPI and VCK will fight from 25 segments each.

On March 23, People's Welfare Front (PWF) had clinched a poll pact with DMDK, announcing Vijayakant as the combine's Chief Ministerial candidate. 124 of the total 234 Assembly seats were then allotted to the actor-politician's party.

The visibly cheerful leaders promised that the new combine, if elected to power, will usher in transparency and end corruption.

Vasan, whose party had earlier made an unsuccessful bid to align with ruling AIADMK, said that people from all walks of life were yearning for a 'change' and that this coalition will do that by ensuring transparent governance, ending corruption and implementing prohibition.

"Captain Vijayakant (as he is addressed) will meet these aspirations of people," Vasan said. Vaiko, who slammed both DMK and AIADMK over corruption, alleged that the two parties had left the state in a 'bad shape' due to graft.

"The coalition government under beloved brother Vijayakant will end corruption and close down (state-run) TASMAC liquor retail outlets," he said.

Vaiko also promised employment, creation of Lok Ayukta and farm loan waiver. Vijayakant also expressed confidence that the coalition would triumph at the hustings.

Earlier in the day, PWF leaders Vaiko, G Ramakrishnan (CPI-M), R Mutharasan (CPI) and VCK's Thol.Thirumavalavan held parleys with Vasan at his Alwarpet residence here.

Later, all of them drove to the DMDK headquarters at Koyambedu where the poll pact was clinched following talks with Vijayakant.

A former Union Minister in the UPA cabinet, Vasan had revived his father G K Moopanar founded TMC in 2014 after he walked out of Congress.

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PM Modi, King Abdullah II share 8-point vision to deepen India-Jordan ties

News Network

December 16,2025

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday held talks with Jordan’s King Abdullah II in Amman, during which the two leaders discussed ways to further strengthen bilateral relations, with the Prime Minister outlining an eight-point vision covering key areas of cooperation.

Describing the meeting as “productive”, PM Modi said he shared a roadmap focused on trade and economy, fertilisers and agriculture, information technology, healthcare, infrastructure, critical and strategic minerals, civil nuclear cooperation, and people-to-people ties.

In a post on social media platform X, the Prime Minister praised King Abdullah II’s personal commitment to advancing India–Jordan relations, particularly as both countries mark the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties this year.

“Held productive discussions with His Majesty King Abdullah II in Amman. His personal commitment towards vibrant India-Jordan relations is noteworthy. This year, we are celebrating the 75th anniversary of our bilateral diplomatic relations,” PM Modi said.

The meeting took place at the Al Husseiniya Palace, where the two leaders also exchanged views on regional and global issues of mutual interest. According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), both sides agreed to further deepen cooperation in areas including trade and investment, defence and security, counter-terrorism and de-radicalisation, fertilisers and agriculture, infrastructure, renewable energy, tourism, and heritage.

The MEA said both leaders reaffirmed their united stand against terrorism.

PM Modi arrived in Amman earlier on Monday and was received by Jordanian Prime Minister Jafar Hassan, who accorded him a formal welcome. Following the talks, King Abdullah II hosted a banquet dinner in honour of the Prime Minister, reflecting the warmth of bilateral ties.

Jordan is the first leg of PM Modi’s three-nation tour. From Amman, the Prime Minister will travel to Ethiopia at the invitation of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali, marking his first official visit to the African nation. The tour will conclude with a visit to Oman.

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