The Hindu : Front Page : PMK urges DMK leadership to remove irritants in ties

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Aug 22, 2007
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PMK urges DMK leadership to remove irritants in ties

Special Correspondent

Seeks cordial atmosphere at least before Parliament polls are scheduled

SALEM: The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) should remove irritants in its relationship with the Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK), S. Ramadoss, PMK founder, said on Tuesday.

Admitting that something had created tension in the ties between the two parties, Dr. Ramadoss told reporters that the DMK leadership should take necessary steps to usher in a “cordial atmosphere,” at least before Parliament polls were scheduled. More importantly, the “trait of cordiality” should be inculcated primarily in the rank and file of the DMK.

Maintaining that his party had no misunderstanding with Chief Minister and DMK president M. Karunanidhi, the PMK founder said Mr. Karunanidhi respected all leaders. He could be approached at any time for any issue. However, his affable disposition alone was not sufficient to sort out the differences. His Ministers, DMK district secretaries and other party functionaries should follow him in this regard and this could be ensured only by the Chief Minister, Dr. Ramadoss said.

The PMK leader pointed out that he and his party had neither criticised the DMK nor any of its leaders individually while taking up vital issues relating to higher education, sand mining, the titanium project, cable TV and performance of the Chennai city police. On a question whether he had any plans to meet the Chief Minister, he said that he would meet him at an appropriate time.

Dr. Ramadoss urged the State Government to implement the recommendations of a panel of experts on tapping surplus water of rivers in the State, including the Cauvery.

The inauguration of the Salem Railway Division would be held as scheduled, Dr. Ramadoss said, adding he would meet Congress president Sonia Gandhi and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in New Delhi shortly to discuss this and various other issues.

Jayalalithaa flayed

He condemned the statement of All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) leader Jayalalithaa who criticised the Prime Minister in the nuclear deal issue. Political decorum should be maintained when one criticised leaders of the stature of Prime Minister, he said.

The Congress-led United Progressive Alliance would survive the present crisis. The Communist Party of India (Marxist) general secretary Prakash Karat spoke to him over phone on Monday, the PMK leader said.

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