Question mark over Vaiko's fate in UPA

NEW DELHI: A question mark hangs over the status of MDMK as a member of the ruling UPA at the Centre.

This became clear with both Parliamentary Affairs Minister Priyaranjan Dasmunsi and Congress spokesman Rajeev Shukla saying at a press conference that they would have to 'check up' the status of the Vaiko-led party.

They stated this when asked whether MDMK was part of the UPA and whether Vaiko was invited for the second anniversary celebrations of the Manmohan Singh government.

Dasmunsi preceded his remarks by observing that the MDMK had consistently voted as per the government stand in the just concluded Parliament session.

MDMK representative was not present at the anniversary celebrations on Monday and senior Tamil Nadu Minister had remarked that the Vaiko's party had "not got the entry pass".

DMK leader and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi has been demanding the ouster of MDMK from the UPA alliance after Vaiko parted company with the DPA and aligned with Jayalalithaa ahead of the assembly polls in the state.