DMK-Congress patch-up unlikely

The DMK-Congress alliance appeared headed for a break with six Union Ministers of the regional party set to resign today even as the Finance Minister, Mr Pranab Mukherjee, has appealed to the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, Mr M. Karunanidhi, to reconsider his decision to pull out of the UPA Government.

The DMK Parliamentary Party leader, Mr T.R. Baalu, said that Mr Pranab Mukherjee called him on Sunday night to convey to Mr Karunanidhi that he and the party should review the decision to pull out of the Government.

Mr Baalu said he told the Finance Minister that the decision was taken by the party’s high-powered committee after deep thinking and considering all factors. He also told the Congress leader that he would convey his views to the DMK chief.

However, DMK sources said there appeared to be little likelihood of a reconciliation. The six ministers, including Mr M.K. Alagiri, will meet the Prime Minister in Delhi and hand over their resignation.

The Congress General Secretary, Mr Ghulam Nabi Azad, in-charge of party affairs in Tamil Nadu, on Sunday night met Mr Pranab Mukherjee and discussed the situation in the state. During the two-hour meeting, the party’s strategy to deal with the developments in the southern state was discussed by the two leaders.

The two leaders will meet the Congress President, Ms Sonia Gandhi, and the Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, and brief them about the situation in Tamil Nadu.

After seat-sharing talks between the two parties collapsed, the DMK announced on Saturday its decision to withdraw its ministers from the Manmohan Singh cabinet. On Sunday, it seemingly hardened its stand even not ruling out Left parties joining its alliance.

After an informal meeting with his party leaders, Mr Karunanidhi had hinted about the possibility of Left parties joining the alliance.

“Yes,” he told reporters when asked whether there was a possibility of Left parties joining the DMK-led alliance.

To a question, the DMK chief had said the Congress’ demand for 63 seats over the agreed number of 60 was one of the reasons for the party’s decision.

In Delhi, highly-placed Congress sources said the party has not yet taken any decision and was keeping “all options” open. “Let the DMK Ministers meet Prime Minister (to submit their resignation)...let us see what happens,” they said.

The Union Chemicals Minister and Karunanidhi’s son Mr Alagiri had said in Chennai that his party did not expect the Congress to “come back” for a possible patch-up.

“I am happy’’, he said when asked about the DMK’s decision to pull out of the UPA Cabinet of which he is a part. He claimed Congress’ exit from the alliance will not have any impact on DMK’s poll prospects.

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