MMK will continue its alliance with DMK, says Jawahirullah

Manithaneya Makkal Katchi (MMK) president MH Jawahirullah on Sunday clarified that the recent resolution taken by the party to fight for its “own symbol” was not due to disappointment that it could not be part of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam Cabinet as widely speculated by certain sections of the media.

In the recent assembly elections, the party contested from two constituencies for the DMK’s ‘Rising Sun’ symbol.

In a statement, Mr Jawahirullah said the alliance between DMK and MMK was rooted in shared ideology.

“Though several parties left the DMK alliance and contested separately under the banner of ‘People’s Alliance’ (Makkal Nala Kootani), it was the MMK that remained firmly in the DMK alliance out of ideological conviction. Even though the MMK did not get an opportunity to contest in 2019 and 2024 in view of winning all the cadre parliamentary elections, the MMK worked tirelessly, national political climate and for the success of the DMK alliance,” he said.

The party fought the 2021 and 2026 assembly elections on the DMK’s ‘Rising Sun’ symbol due to ground realities and political circumstances. Since the electoral commission canceled the registration of parties that did not continuously compete for their own symbols, the registration of the MMK was canceled as well.

“A related case is pending before the Madras High Court. In these circumstances, it has become necessary for us to challenge our own symbol for re-registration of the party. This itself was passed as the fifth resolution in the high-level committee meeting held on May 19-20, 2026,” he said, adding that only this resolution was taken out of context.

“It has been falsely portrayed that the resolution was passed out of frustration that if we fought under our own symbol, we could secure ministerial posts in the newly formed Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagama government,” he said. From the Citizenship Amendment Act protests to the Waqf Amendment Act agitations to the Thiruparankundram issue, the DMK stood emotionally and firmly on the ground, Prof Jawahirullah noted, adding that the MMK would continue to work with the DMK to protect the interests of Tamil Nadu.

Published – 24 May 2026 23:01 IST