CHENNAI: Perhaps for the first time in public, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam leader M. Karunanidhi on Monday hinted clearly at the possibility of a coalition government emerging from the May 8 Assembly elections.

Though not directly, Mr. Karunanidhi agreed that the raison d'etre of a coalition would be to dislodge the "anti-people Jayalalithaa Government." Coming as it did from the DMK chief's mouth, it carries a lot of significance and a clear pointer to the allies, to work together and ensure a credible victory for the Democratic Progressive Alliance (DPA).

It was the Congress, and in particular Union Minister of State E.V.K.S. Elangovan, who spoke of a coalition last year. But that became a major controversy and he had to personally meet Mr. Karunanidhi and sort out the misunderstanding. But Congress functionaries have been harping on a coalition arrangement in the State on the lines of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) at the Centre. It has been discussed at internal party meetings, but not allowed to surface in the open.

This is only because the talk of a coalition before the polls was anathema to the DMK, the leader of the DPA in the State. DMK leaders are convinced that the people of Tamil Nadu will provide a clear mandate and will not entertain the talk of coalition governments. The concept of a coalition could mean "instability" in political circles.

But by the very nature of the seat allocation among the DPA allies, it becomes well neigh impossible for the DMK to secure a majority of its own. After all, it is contesting in just about 125 seats out of the 234 in the Assembly, and for a majority on its own, it will have to win 118 seats. Only a landslide can provide such a brute majority for the DPA. On the other hand, the ruling All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) is contesting about 180 seats, leaving about 55 seats to its allies and smaller groups, who are also contesting on the AIADMK symbol. So, it is Chief Minister Jayalalithaa who will be seeking an absolute majority for her party and focusing in the last lap of her campaign on this aspect too.

With Mr. Karunanidhi's own acceptance of the possibility of a coalition arrangement in Tamil Nadu, the signal to the allies now is to pull up the socks and seek a "comfortable majority" for the DPA. It will then be up to the constituents to decide whether they should join the Government or support it from outside.

At least some of the DPA partners, notably the Congress and the PMK, are of the view that the people "welcome the concept of coalitions." The experiment with coalitions at the Centre, both under the BJP and the Congress, have "worked well," the political leaders feel.

As such, the people are not averse to it, as it will also not leave the entire governance in the hands of one party or leader. "Coalitions give way to consensual politics and governance and that is what Tamil Nadu badly needs," reasons a senior Congress leader.

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