DMK to remain with UF

On Naidu’s refusal to reconsider his decision to quit the Front, Karunanidhi said it was “regrettable” that he had distanced himself from the UF. Naidu was in the forefront when the UF was formed, he pointed out. Moreover, he had solved the problems between the UF and the Congress whenever the latter attempted to withdraw support to the UF government, he said.

“Naidu could have solved the presentcrisis too,” the DMK chief said, adding the TDP chief’s action had “pained” him. As UF convenor, Naidu himself could have called a core committee meeting and discussed the issues, but for reasons “unknown” or due to the situation in Andhra Pradesh or because he was “unable to take proper rest”, he didn’t, Karunanidhi added. The Janata Dal, the DMK, the Tamil Maanila Congress, CPI and CPM were still part of the UF, Karunanidhi countered when asked if the Front had become irrelevant after the exit of three parties — the TDP, the National Conference and the Asom Gana Parishad. On the BJP’s alleged volte-face on support to P A Sangma as a consensus candidate for the Speaker’s post, he said, “It is a decision taken by them (BJP) as per their convenience”.

The CM said he and Naidu had high regard for each other and that he had spoken with him over the phone only once after the elections to exchange notes on the poll verdict. He had no intention of asking Naidu to reconsider his decision of quitting theUF, he stressed, saying, “It is clear that he is not in a position to change his stand”.