The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Dayanidhi Maran to vote for UPA

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Monday, Jul 21, 2008
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Tamil Nadu

Dayanidhi Maran to vote for UPA

Special Correspondent

CHENNAI: Former Union Minister Dayanidhi Maran will vote for the Congress-led UPA government when it seeks vote of confidence in Parliament on July 22.

Addressing reporters at his Boat Club residence, Mr. Maran said that though he was treated “shabbily” and those related to him were “harassed”, he would stand by the decision of the party.

He thanked Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Union Ministers Pranab Mukherjee, Lalu Prasad Yadav, Kamal Nath, G. K.Vasan, Jairam Ramesh, V. Narayanasamy, senior Congress leader Ahamed Patel and TNCC president K.V. Thankgabalu who had contacted him to seek support.

Asked about the possibility of a reconciliation with the DMK leadership, he said that even if the Chief Minister was prepared for it those around him would not allow it to happen for their own personal reasons.

He refused to answer whether M.K. Azhagiri was remaining a stumbling block to a rapprochement. “I don’t know what my mistakes are. Did I field rival candidates in 12 constituencies to defeat official candidates of the party? I have always remained loyal to the party,” he said

To a question whether he had plans to start a political party, he said, “I am still in the DMK and my supporters are from the DMK.”

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