CHENNAI: Chief Minister Jayalalithaa is targeting the PMK because she has not been able to wean away the party from the Democratic Progressive Alliance, PMK founder S.Ramadoss said on Thursday.

He told a press conference here: "As we are firm in our position and have not succumbed to her pressures, she is making baseless allegations against us. Another reason is that we are exposing the failure of her Government on issues of public importance."

Referring to Ms. Jayalalithaa's criticism that the controversy over the Common Entrance Test (CET) could have been ended in one stroke if Union Health Minister, R. Anbumani, got the Medical Council of India rules amended, the PMK leader said she was attempting to mislead the people.

"If she is really sincere, she should take up the issue directly with the Prime Minister and the Union Health Minister."

Only one of the two letters, claimed to have been despatched by the State Government, was sent on behalf of the Chief Secretary, but somebody else signed it, Dr. Ramadoss claimed. Recently, the State Health Minister and Health Secretary had camped in New Delhi to meet the Union Health Minister in connection with the Theni Medical College issue.

"They did not raise a word about the CET with him [Dr. Anbumani]," Dr. Ramadoss said, adding that the MCI was an autonomous body.

Asked whether the resignation of three PMK MLAs would impact the party's base among Dalits, he replied in the negative and said it was the PMK that had been highlighting the problems of Dalits. This was known to people.

He said the DPA would remain intact and there was a likelihood of more parties joining it. Dr. Ramadoss reiterated that his party did not prefer a coalition-type government either in Tamil Nadu or Pondicherry.

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