The Hindu : MDMK discusses poll issues

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Feb 14, 2004

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

MDMK discusses poll issues

By Our Special Correspondent

CHENNAI, FEB. 13. The Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam general secretary, Vaiko, chaired the first district secretaries meeting held after his release on bail in a Prevention of Terrorism Act case, here this evening.

The meeting discussed Lok Sabha election issues and ways and means of strengthening the organisational set-up.

Mr. Vaiko cleared doubts over how seat allocation was made in the Democratic Progressive Alliance, of which the MDMK is a constituent. Many in the party had felt that the allocation of four seats was meagre.

Though Mr. Vaiko had left the decision of seat allocation to the DMK president, M. Karunanidhi, the MDMK seniors assumed that the party would be given five seats.

Later, criticism was levelled against the MDMK presidium chairman, L. Ganesan, who had signed the agreement with the DMK.

Fernandes meets Vaiko

Earlier, the National Democratic Alliance convener, George Fernandes, met Mr.Vaiko at his Anna Nagar residence here. The meeting took place from around 2-15 to 4 a.m.

"It was an emotional meeting. He had chosen to fly through Chennai since he wanted to meet me," Mr.Vaiko said. (Mr. Fernandes was on his way to a function in Port Blair.)

Asked about the NDA convener calling on him alone in Chennai, Mr. Vaiko said friendship was above everything else.

Both had an enduring friendship built over the years and they valued it.

Mr. Fernandes told presspersons at the Chennai Airport today that he did not plan to meet the All- India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam supremo, Jayalalithaa.

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