DMK did it within hours what Left could never achieve

NEW DELHI: What the Left could not achieve through their frequent threats to the Congress-led coalition, the Karunanidhi-led DMK did it within hours.

As Karunanidhi got in touch with Congress President Sonia Gandhi in the morning, the political clock started ticking fast and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was forced to beat a hasty retreat on the divestment of Neyveli Lignite Corporation (NLC) issue.

"DMK is not Left", remarked a Congress leader while giving reasons why the Prime Minister acted fast suggesting that the Left's threats are generally a case of "mere barking and not biting".

Party sources said Karunanidhi got in touch with Sonia Gandhi who, in turn, held consultations with the Prime Minister leading to quick announcement from the government about keeping in abeyance the disinvestment process.

Party spokesman Abhishek Singhvi downplayed the developments expressing confidence that a holistic and constructive solution would emerge out of the proposed discussions in the very near future.

"The Congress believes in true coalition dharma and Maryada which involves taking into account all diverse and even disagreeing views. Till this exercise of give and take is completed indepth, things have been put on a temporary hold," he said.