The DMK-led Democratic Progressive Alliance (DPA), an important UPA ally, is no longer happy and its leader M Karunanidhi is uneasy.
CHENNAI:The DMK-led Democratic Progressive Alliance (DPA), an important UPA ally, is no longer happy and its leader M Karunanidhi is uneasy.
The verbal duel between Karunanidhi and PMK leader S Ramadoss has come to a flashpoint with the DMK leader hinting at snapping ties and the PMK leader lobbing the ball back in to the CM’s court. Adding to the DMK chief’s worries is the open discomfort shown by his other allies — the Congress and the Left.
Karunanidhi did not take him seriously when Ramadoss said his party would remain an “opposition within”. After opposing such projects as the Chennai airport expansion and satellite cities, Ramadoss became more vociferous than AIADMK leader J Jayalalithaa when it came to Tata’s titanium-dioxide project in Tirunelveli district.
“The state has no business to procure land from farmers for the Tatas. We will oppose it tooth and nail,” Ramadoss said.
This had the CM saying: “Some parties are ready to indulge in atrocious agitations. It’s time to take a decision (on allies).”
The PMK, which has two ministers at the Centre, may not hasten to quit, but is in no mood to be subservient. “Karunanidhi should realise that his is a minority government. They need us more than we need them,” a PMK leader said.
The DMK can survive without the PMK, but such a split could embolden the Congress, which has been unsuccessfully claiming a share in power.
“Karunanidhi, using his direct access and proximity to Sonia Gandhi, has been able to silence us. But if the PMK pulls out and if we have Soniaji’s blessings, we will have a share in power,” said a Congress member.
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