The Hindu : Opinion / Letters to the Editor : DMK-PMK split

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Thursday, Jun 19, 2008
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Opinion - Letters to the Editor

DMK-PMK split

The DMK’s move of snapping its ties with the PMK in Tamil Nadu was expected. One can also understand that it is not possible for a government to function in the face of constant criticism from within the ruling coalition.

But the timing of the move is strange. Why did the DMK not react when PMK leader J. Guru made the derogatory remarks — the reason cited by the party for snapping the ties — in January? Why did it keep quiet for six months and continue to accommodate the PMK?

A.R. Karthyck,

Bangalore

* * *

The spat between the DMK and the PMK is now in the open. While the AIADMK will be pleased with the development, Mr. Vijayakant of the DMDK is likely to gain further in strength. Arithmetic has been an important factor in the Tamil Nadu elections — to the Assembly and the Lok Sabha. The PMK has proved consistently that it has at least a five per cent vote share. Given the thin margin of lead that the ruling alliance secured in the last Assembly election, it will certainly find the going tough in the Lok Sabha election without the PMK.

Daman Prakash Rathod,

Chennai

* * *

PMK leader S. Ramadoss has spoken furiously against the DMK regime many times in the past but he did not leave the DPA. Had he been as upset over the functioning of the government as he made us believe, he could have quit much earlier instead of allowing the DMK to take the decision of snapping its ties with his party. As for Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi, why did he not initiate action against Mr. Guru in January when he made the offensive remarks against his party? Both the parties may turn out to be losers in the long run.

T.S. Pattabhi Raman,

Coimbatore

* * *

Both the DMK and the AIADMK — the two major political parties in Tamil Nadu — believe they can win the elections in the State only if they have ties with the PMK. But one hopes the two parties and the electorate would have realised, by now, that keeping the PMK in good humour is no easy task.

S. Ramakrishnasayee,

Ranipet

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