The Hindu : Front Page : DMK, allies play down differences

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Friday, Aug 31, 2007
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DMK, allies play down differences

Tamil Nadu Bureau

CHENNAI: The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and its major allies have played down differences within the alliance, saying each party is merely highlighting problems in the State. The media, they said, were playing up minor differences.

In a statement, Chief Minister and DMK president M. Karunanidhi said a party would not challenge or threaten its ally. What he spoke at a wedding in Chennai was misinterpreted by some newspapers with the intent of harming the alliance. No one would be fooled by such campaigns, he said.

Defending Electricity Minister Arcot N. Veerasamy’s outburst against “those who did not respect the DMK,” Mr. Karunanidhi said Mr.Veersamy was merely making a point that the DMK should not be friendly with those who did not consider it their ally. It was the opinion of an individual; not that of the party, or of any committee of the party. Commenting on the proposition that seat adjustments in an election did not constitute an alliance, Mr. Karunanidhi said people considered such an adjustment an alliance.

PMK response

The Pattali Makkal Katchi, which has been criticising the Government and the DMK since the local bodies elections in October last, is in no mood to join issue with the ruling party.

Before attending the party’s executive, PMK founder S. Ramadoss told The Hindu on phone that the party was not going to discuss the reported comments of Mr. Veerasamy. “We will focus on issues such as special economic zo ne, satellite towns and common school system,” he said. He reiterated that the party would support the Government till the end of its tenure. At the same time, it would perform the role of a responsible Opposition party.

Tamil Nadu Congress Committee president M. Krishnasswamy said the Congress would not hesitate to launch an agitation for highlighting people’s cause. However, the Government’s performance and its response to various issues concerning people so far did not warrant it, he said. The party recently sent a team of leaders to assess people’s views about the titanium project and presented the report to the Government.

Unlike other allies of the Democratic Progressive Alliance, the Congress could not launch agitations that would embarrass the Government, as the DMK was a constituent of the United Progressive Government at the Centre. If the situation so warranted, the party would launch agitations after informing the high command. Such agitations would be as per the guidelines of the high command. He said the State party wanted a share in power, and the views of the State unit had been conveyed to party president Sonia Gandhi.

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