Offstage exigency

At the Full Planning Commission8217;s meeting on May 14, members were just warming up when Prime Minister Manmohan Singh suddenly walked out. While some members thought he was off to the rest room, curiosity prevailed as the PM rarely disappears abruptly from meetings. It later emerged that Singh had stepped out to meet an important visitor: Arcot Veeraswamy, the DMK8217;s emissary to the Centre. Of course, this was the time DMK supremo M Karunanidhi wanted Dayanidhi Maran out of the Union Cabinet. But the PM8217;s departure from the Commission8217;s meeting signifies the power the southern party wields at the Centre. So much so Congress leaders believe the DMK wants Veeraswamy to be in the reckoning for the Vice-President8217;s post.