CHENNAI: A llies of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam in the Democratic Progressive Alliance have asserted that the "minority" nature of the new government will not affect its stability.

Reacting to doubts expressed by All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam general secretary Jayalalithaa on the government lasting beyond a year, they have promised "unflinching support" to the new dispensation as long as it fulfils election promises.

Pooh-poohing Ms. Jayalalithaa's remark, Tamil Nadu Congress Committee president M. Krishnasswamy told The Hindu here on Sunday that it smacked of frustration. "Our alliance is intact and we are quite confident that this Government will do good for the State."

Focus on DMK manifesto

DMK organising secretary T.K.S.Elangovan said, "Ms. Jayalalithaa is sceptical about the longevity of the State Government but she fails to see the reality that the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance Government at the Centre has successfully completed two years in office." The Government would focus on the implementation of the DMK manifesto, which had been accepted by all the DPA partners.

Pattali Makkal Katchi president G.K.Mani said any leader who believed in democracy would urge the new Government to work for people's welfare besides taking steps to fulfil their expectations, instead of predicting its doom.

By dubbing elected representatives as "savages" she had insulted the people who elected them, besides tarnishing the image of the Assembly.

Central Committee member of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) A.K. Padmanabhan said the alliance, based on a pre-election understanding, won about two-thirds of the seats in the Assembly. "It is for the sake of convenience that a single-party Government has been formed. All the allies have agreed to it."

The DPA partners were aghast at the "confrontationist" course taken by the AIADMK even after Chief Minister M.Karunanidhi held out an olive branch to the Opposition by declaring in his post-victory press conference that the mutual antagonism of the DMK and the AIADMK should become a thing of the past.

Action lauded

They commended Mr. Karunanidhi for fulfilling three important poll promises immediately after assuming office: distribution of rice at Rs. 2 a kg, waiver of cooperative farm loans and supply of eggs twice a week under the noon meal scheme.

"It only signals the earnestness of the Government to fulfil its commitment to the electorate," Mr. Padmanabhan said.

"Ms. Jayalalithaa's remarks are not in good taste," said State secretary of the Communist Party of India D. Pandian. He appealed to her to function as the leader of a constructive Opposition keeping in mind only the welfare of the people. Doubts over the stability of the new government existed only in the imagination of Ms. Jayalalithaa. "Tamil Nadu needs the cooperation of one and all to solve its problems," he said.

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