Moving on, without Vaiko

Karunanidhi8217;s frustration apparently stemmed from reports that the MDMK leadership had already held a few rounds of informal talks with the AIADMK. Confirming rumours that Vaiko had been avoiding the DMK leadership ever since his return from the UPA Coordination Committee meet in New Delhi, Karunanidhi said that all attempts to seek the MDMK leader8217;s assurance of continued support to the DPA had failed.

Reacting to reports that Vaiko had informed Prime Minister Manmohan Singh that he would backing the UPA at the Centre and opposing the DPA in Tamil Nadu, Karunanidhi said: 8216;8216;I do not know what transpired between Vaiko and Dr Singh. But it is nearly 10 days and there is no response from the MDMK on the number of seats it wants to contest or its list of constituencies.8217;8217;

Leaders close to Vaiko say he is likely to announce his decision next week. Although, sources say, there is tremendous pressure from within the party to align with the AIADMK, Vaiko is worried about the party8217;s image and credibility were he to join Jayalalithaa despite her having detained him for over a year and a half under POTA in 2002.

8216;8216;But it could turn out to be a better choice than going along with the DMK only to get M K Stalin Karunanidhi8217;s son as chief minister,8217;8217; said one of Vaiko8217;s associates.

In a broad hint that MDMK leaders are well-disposed towards an AIADMK tie-up, MDMK propaganda secretary Nanjil Sampath told a public meeting near Coimbatore last night that the MDMK was not averse to such an alliance 8216;8216;the way the late DMK founder, C N Annadurai, forged a poll pact with the late Rajaji, a former Brahmin chief minister of Tamil Nadu, before the 1967 Assembly elections8217;8217;. The DMK was known for its strident anti-Brahminical stand, particularly during its early years.

Vaiko has issued a statement today apologising for his partyman8217;s remarks, saying that Sampath8217;s views were not the authorised views of the party and that he regretted any hurt to Karunanidhi8217;s feelings the remarks may have caused. However, all other issues the DMK chief raised, were left unanswered.