The Hindu : Front Page : PMK to play opposition party role

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Oct 31, 2006
ePaper

Front Page

Front Page

PMK to play opposition party role

Special Correspondent

There will be no problem from our side to Government till the end: Ramadoss

S. Ramadoss

CHENNAI: The Pattali Makkal Katchi will, hereafter, play the role of a responsible opposition party, while extending issue-based support to the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam Government, PMK founder S. Ramadoss said on Monday.

"There will be no problem from our side to the Government till the end. We will honour our word [on providing support to the Government]. We will maintain the cordial relationship [with the Government]. We will not function as an enemy," he told reporters here.

His remarks came in the backdrop of the spat between the DMK and the PMK on cross-voting in local body elections. He said as the AIADMK had not been performing its role as an Opposition party effectively, his party would assume the role.

Reacting to DMK president M. Karunanidhi's statement on Sunday, Dr. Ramadoss said when his party was the biggest sufferer, it was painful to note that Mr. Karunanidhi blamed the PMK.

Asked why he continued to support the DMK regime even after the "bitter episode," he said his party never violated the "alliance dharma" and it was keen on sticking to its promise.

Referring to Mr. Karunanidhi's statement on the defeat of DMK nominees at the hands of his party's rebel candidates, and of the PMK voting against the DMK's official candidates in some places, Dr. Ramadoss said, "We have been defeated in 30 to 50 per cent of the allotted seats." When DMK candidates contested seats allotted to the PMK, it was brought to the notice of DMK leaders. "But, we did not get justice." He blamed the DMK for the PMK nominees' defeat in a number of local bodies. He cited the example of Hosur municipality, where the DMK ensured that the AIADMK won.

On the issue of the Deputy Mayor's post in Chennai Corporation, Dr. Ramadoss said it was offered at the last minute, after he took up with Mr. Karunanidhi the DMK's rejection of the PMK demand for Mayorship of a corporation. But, the DMK, while agreeing to give one deputy mayor post, insisted that the PMK field a particular candidate. "We did not agree with such an approach. Then, they (DMK) withdrew the offer," he said.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Front Page

News Update

Stories in this Section