DMK pulls out of UPA Govt

The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) has decided to exit from the Congress-led UPA Government at the Centre but will offer ‘issue-based' support. The DMK decided to withdraw its Ministers from the Centre following the deadlock in talks with the Congress over seat-sharing for the April 13 elections to the Tamil Nadu Assembly.

According to a statement by the DMK chief and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, Mr M. Karunanidhi, a high-level executive committee, led by him today resolved that under the circumstances, the DMK would withdraw from the Union Government while extending issue-based support to the UPA.

The DMK has six ministers — Mr M.K. Alagiri; Mr Dayanidhi Maran; Mr S. S. Palanimanickam, Mr S. Gandhiselvan, Mr S. Jagathrakshakan, and Mr D. Napolean. Mr A. Raja, formerly the Union Telecommunications Minister, resigned from the Cabinet in November last year over controversy in the allocation of 2G licences. He was subsequently arrested by the CBI. This had shaken relations between the Congress and the DMK, though both maintained the ties were normal.

The resolution by the DMK high-level committee followed a nearly 90-minute meeting at the DMK party headquarters here. The large gathering of party workers reflected the mood within the party as they shouted slogans against the Congress.

Seat-sharing tussle

Mr Karunanidhi recounted the long negotiations with the Congress since February 20 on seat sharing. However, the continuously escalating demand from the Congress on the number of seats and unilateral decision it had taken on the Assembly constituencies it would contest has caused widespread dissatisfaction among the DMK.

The party was worried that this attitude could affect the outcome of the elections itself. Mr Karunanidhi recalled that the Congress was given 48 seats in 2006.

Since then, the Congress had raised its demand to 60 seats to which the DMK had agreed. But, later, it demanded three more seats and also dictated the constituencies that it would contest from.

The Congress was peeved that the DMK finalised seat-sharing agreements with smaller parties such as the Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK; 31 seats) and the Viduthalai Chiruthaikal Katchi (VCK; 10) even when talks with the Congress were on.

Mr Karunanidhi said the Congress had delayed commencing seat sharing talks though he had travelled to Delhi to meet the Congress leader, Ms Sonia Gandhi. Therefore, the DMK had initiated seat-sharing talks with the PMK and other allies.

The AIADMK, DMK's main opponent, last night announced an agreement with actor Vijayakanth of the DMDK (Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam), and it is in talks with the two Left parties and Mr Vaiko of the MDMK (Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam) .

PTI reports : The DMK's action does not appear to pose a threat to the Congress-led coalition in case of a trial of strength in the Lok Sabha. The coalition has the backing of 310 MPs, including outside support from the SP, BSP and the RJD.

The DMK parliamentary party leader, Mr T.R. Baalu, said the party would “definitely” have discussions with the Congress if it agrees to Mr Karunanidhi's terms. The Congress declined to respond and maintained negotiations were still on.

COMMENT NOW