The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Karunanidhi surprises his party's allies, adversaries with idea of coalition

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Apr 24, 2006

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Karunanidhi surprises his party's allies, adversaries with idea of coalition

S. Dorairaj

DMK says he floated the idea not out of weakness but from a position of strength

CHENNAI: Many eyebrows were raised when Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam president M. Karunanidhi said that his party was not opposed to forming a coalition government in the post-poll scenario.Though the `message' is loud and clear, constituents of the DMK-led Democratic Progressive Alliance and the rival camp, headed by the All- India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, have started reading between the lines.

Treated as taboo

If coalition is seen as a source of strength at the Centre and in many States, it has been treated as taboo in Tamil Nadu since 1952, with leaders of the DMK and the AIADMK claiming that people of the State hate coalition rule.

But Mr. Karunanidhi surprised his allies and adversaries, by hinting at a meeting in Chennai on April 17, that his party was prepared for coalition rule after the elections. Unmindful of the nature of the Government, the party would work for dislodging the AIADMK Government, besides providing good governance.

Three days later, he told reporters at Tuticorin that his party was not opposed to a coalition if it was unavoidable. "However, in the prevailing scenario, chances are bright for the DMK to form its own Government."

Seizing the opportunity, Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK) chief Vaiko and Dalit Panthers of India (DPI) leader Thol. Thirumavalavan, who spearheaded the propaganda for the AIADMK-led alliance, derided Mr. Karunanidhi for his remark. The coalition idea only betrayed the fear of defeat gripping the DMK, they said.

Harping on the theory that the people would not accept coalition rule, Mr. Vaiko said the DMK, which launched a tirade against Congress leader and Union Minister E.V.K.S. Elangovan for proposing the idea of coalition, now seemed to have changed its strategy only to cajole its allies.

But the DPA camp denies these assessments and accusations. It also agrees with Mr. Karunanidhi's view that the nature of the Government is not the issue now.

UPA model

A senior Congress leader said: "Mr. Karunanidhi has spoken his mind. Perhaps, the successful United Progressive Alliance experiment at the Centre might have contributed to his change of mind. We are not averse to coalition rule, if it provides stability to the administration. If good governance based on a common minimum programme is ensured through proper checks and balances, we welcome it. Any decision on such issues has to come from the high command."

A DMK functionary said the party president floated the idea not out of weakness but from a position of strength. "Mr. Karunanidhi just wants to prepare the DPA partners if the need for a coalition arises, as unlike our main political rival, we are contesting only 130 seats to reach the magic figure of 118. In the event of getting a couple of seats less, we will go in for a coalition."

Pattali Makkal Katchi founder S. Ramadoss made it clear that his party would not be part of a coalition.

He had suggested a common minimum programme for the Government, while releasing the PMK manifesto.

Left stand

Leaders of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and the Communist Party of India have said that their parties will support a DMK-led Government from outside.

"Dislodging the AIADMK Government, installing an alternative Government and strengthening the Left forces are our main objectives," said a veteran trade union leader.

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