Cong, CPM to boycott DMK meet on POTA

The all-party meeting called by DMK chief M. Karunanidhi tomorrow to evolve a joint strategy to take on the AIADMK on POTA threatens to further aggravate the party’s relation with the BJP. The meet is also not likely to bring together other Opposition parties behind the DMK on the issue.

The BJP has not even been invited to the meeting, the agenda of which is to focus essentially on the ‘‘unjust detention’’ of leaders like Vaiko of the MDMK and P. Nedumaran of the Thamizhar Desiya Iyakkam.

TNCC chief S. Balakrishnan said his party would not participate in the meeting as the DMK, which had supported the passing of the POTA Bill in Parliament, was now opposing the Act.

The CPM state unit, too, has decided not to take part, citing similar reasons. A letter in this regard was sent to Karunanidhi by state secretary N. Varadarajan. He suggested the DMK come out openly and demand the repeal of POTA from the statute book.