VCK and PMK cannot be partnof the same alliance. VCK in an alliance counter-polarizes MBC, BC and non- Adi Dravidar SC against the alliance. If you put PMK, you end up with two sets of cadre who have opposed each other for a decade. PMK will work against VCK and VCK against/1

PMK. Since VCK has agreed to accept DMK's terms and stay in the alliance, there is no way PMK is finding a place there. Within the NDA, it would make eminent sense for PMK to soft pedal their demand of an exclusive 20% until the elections. A maximal demand like this will only /2

Serve to irk other MBC communities, especially the numerically smaller service castes who find it hard to take advantage of the quota as it is. Their only card is the core vote share that determines victory in 30 odd seats. If the NDA uses their demand of 20% as an excuse to /3

dump them and mobilize non-Vanniyar MBC/BC against them, their vote bank will not get them a single MLA. Ramadoss will not overplay his card, if he has learnt any lessons from the past /END