DMK invites expelled DMDK leaders

A day after expelled DMDK rebels floated their new outfit, DMK on Monday wooed them, saying party leader M Karunanidhi was ready to meet them."

Makkal DMDK... if they come, Kalaignar (Karunanidhi) is ready to meet them," DMK Treasurer M K Stalin told reporters, referring to the oufit formed by the rebels.

Former DMDK Propaganda Secretary and MLA VC Chandrakumar and nine others, including two more legislators, had recently raised a banner of revolt against their party high command's decision to align with People's Welfare Front (PWF) for the May 16 Assembly polls.

They had also alleged that DMDK founder Vijayakant's wife Premalatha was calling the shots vis-a-vis party affairs, a charge stoutly denied by her.

The 10 rebel functionaries, since expelled from the party, had earlier denied Stalin had anything to do with their revolt, especially in the wake of DMDK shutting the doors on DMK for an alliance for the ensuing polls.

Speculation is rife that the breakaway group led by Chandrakumar might get a few seats in the DMK alliance.