The Hindu : Front Page : Karunanidhi played a key role

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Jun 15, 2007
ePaper

Front Page

Front Page

Karunanidhi played a key role

J. Venkatesan

Holds extensive discussions with Congress, Left leaders

Karunanidhi

New Delhi: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi played a key role in the choice of Rajasthan Governor Pratibha Patil as the United Progressive Alliance's Presidential candidate. He had extensive consultations with Congress president Sonia Gandhi, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and the Left leaders.

On Wednesday, when Mr. Karunanidhi met Ms. Gandhi and Dr. Singh, he was given three names — Shivraj Patil, Sushil Kumar Shinde and Karan Singh.

On Thursday morning, Left leaders Prakash Karat, A.B. Bardhan and D. Raja met Mr. Karunanidhi and are understood to have their reservations about all the three names. After the meeting, Mr. Karunanidhi was optimistic, saying consensus would emerge as discussions were progressing on the path of success.

The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam president then drove to the Prime Minister's residence and briefed Ms. Gandhi and Dr. Singh on the deliberations with the Left leaders.

After his meeting with the Congress leaders, Mr. Karunanidhi was asked by journalists why no consensus was emerging despite several rounds of talks.

Not ordinary issue

He said, "The presidential election is not an ordinary issue. No hasty decision can be taken. There are problems but they are not insurmountable."

Asked how a solution was possible when the parties were sticking to their stand, he said, "A solution is possible if all parties come together."

Dr. Karan Singh called on Mr. Karunanidhi. He described the meeting a courtesy call.

Asked about the timing of the meeting, he said, "I leave it to your imagination."

In the afternoon, Ahmed Patel, political secretary to the Congress president, met the DMK chief and conveyed the choice of Ms. Patil. In the evening, Left leaders met Mr. Karunanidhi and the deal was clinched.

When reporters wanted to know whether a woman candidate had been chosen, Mr. Karunanidhi said, "Yes. It is possible." In a lighter vein, he told a woman journalist, "From now onwards, it will be your raj (inime unga rajyam thaan)."

A formal announcement on the choice of Ms. Patil was made in the evening after the UPA-Left meeting in which Mr. Karunanidhi participated.

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

Front Page