The Hindu : Front Page : MDMK will continue in DPA, says Vaiko

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Feb 21, 2006

Front Page

Front Page

MDMK will continue in DPA, says Vaiko

Special Correspondent

Karunanidhi welcomes the statement

Will ensure the victory of the alliance in the elections
MDMK is an "open book" and all its actions are in the public domain
Will not compromise on principles

Pained by questions in the media about MDMK's continuance in DPA

CHENNAI : The Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam has decided to stay in the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam-led Democratic Progressive Alliance.

In a three-page statement, MDMK general secretary Vaiko said that his party was committed to ensuring the victory of the DPA in the Assembly elections. "The MDMK had done nothing to bring down the esteem of the alliance," he said.

Mr. Vaiko explained he had clarified on the speeches made by two front-ranking functionaries of the party, Nanjil Sampath and L.Ganesan. Though the MDMK did not subscribe to these thoughts, Mr. Vaiko said he had apologised to DMK president Karunanidhi.

Recalling the 2001 Assembly elections, Mr. Vaiko said even when he was forced to leave the DMK-led alliance, he did not ally himself with the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam-led alliance merely to ensure that the MDMK won a few seats. This fact had to be kept in mind. Also, in the 2004 Lok Sabha elections, though the MDMK did not get the seats it wanted, it worked wholeheartedly for the DPA's victory.

People of the State were aware of this fact.

Upholding party's ideals

The price the MDMK had to pay for upholding its ideals was heavy, he said, adding that even then, the party had not compromised on its principles. There was no question that it would do so now. He had made probity in public life and honesty as his motto , he added.

Mr. Vaiko said he was pained by questions in the media about MDMK's continuance in the DPA. He had met Mr. Karunanidhi on January 26 and talked about seat sharing. He had discussed the offer with his party men. This took time.

The MDMK was an "open book" and all its actions were in the public domain.

Reacting to Mr. Vaiko's statement, Mr. Karunanidhi said he was "very happy" and "welcomed" it. "I expected this," he told reporters and added that Mr.Vaiko had spoken to him on the statement he had issued.

Asked when Mr.Vaiko would come for the seat sharing talks, Mr. Karunanidhi said no date had been fixed as yet.

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