Tamil Nadu   

PMK to publish newspaper

T. Ramakrishnan

It will not be a party organ; will conform to dharma of Press, claims Ramadoss

CHENNAI: The Pattali Makkal Katchi, which often attracted adverse publicity for its agitations, is in the process of an image makeover and plans to publish a newspaper.

Though conscious of sending out the message that it remains a "virulent critic" of the All-India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam Government, the party has come up with its schemes, be it on admission to professional colleges or monorail.

So far, it has prepared three alternative budgets, focussing on the State economy. For the last couple of years, the party has been organising the birth anniversary of the late Chief Minister K. Kamaraj and "Tamil Isai" (Tamil music) festivals.

"The daily we plan to bring out will not be a party organ. It has been my desire to publish a newspaper conforming to the dharma of the Press," says S. Ramadoss, PMK founder.

As part of cementing his party's ties with the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam further, he called on DMK president M. Karunanidhi on Saturday to invite him to launch the newspaper.

On every issue of public importance, the PMK has been quick to express its position. This was evident in the Palar controversy.

Sensing the decline in the trend of the Opposition parties undertaking agitations these days, it has done its bit to fill this gap. Dr. Ramadoss himself led three agitations against the State Government's ban on recruitment.

PMK president G.K. Mani notes: "Last year, we organised 130 stirs and seminars in which our leadership was directly involved." He also claims that in the last five years, his party legislators had conducted themselves on the floor of the House, without violating any rules.

Says Dr. Ramadoss: "We want to present ourselves as a responsible, constructive Opposition party. We want to show how a political party should conduct itself. This is why we give importance to giving political training to our cadre."

The party is confident that its recent track record on articulating public issues will enable it to play a greater role in the State politics in the days to come.

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