CHENNAI, SEPT 15: Decks have been cleared for the inclusion of three AIADMK MPs, Dindigul Sreenivasan, C Gopal and Niraikulathan, in the Union Cabinet during its expansion, likely by the end of this month. Their induction has been reportedly cleared by Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee in an obvious tactical move to mollify the AIADMK.More so when it's being perceived in political circles here that the BJP is cosying up to the DMK. And when the AIADMK's regional partners, PMK and MDMK, have said that they will back the Government even if Jayalalitha decides to pull out. The proposed inclusion of the three AIADMK men into the Cabinet is being seen as a balancing act by the BJP which doesn't want to ruffle any AIADMK feathers and at the same time, keep its ``positive relationship'' with the other Tamil Nadu parties going.In fact, it was the DMK which rolled out the red carpet today for Vajpayee, who arrived to attend the MDMK Renaissance Rally to mark the 90th birth anniversary of the late C NAnnadurai. The DMK's high-power contingent at the airport was led by Chief Minister M Karunanidhi and included Mayor M K Stalin and the entire Cabinet.The AIADMK, however, was represented only by its two ministers. Jayalalitha chose to stay away in Tiruchy for her party's meeting to mark the birth anniversary of late Annadurai.There were only a few AIADMK flags to greet Vajpayee at the airport. Law Minister M Thambidurai denied that it was only a token reception. ``A reception is a reception,'' he said.Besides Thambidurai, the only other AIADMK minister is Kadambur Janarthanam. Two other ministers, Sedapatti R Muthiah and R K Kumar, had resigned: Muthiah after corruption charges were framed against him in a Chennai court and Kumar, on health grounds, although there were reports that he had earned Jayalalitha's displeasure.The BJP top brass is keen that some demands of the AIADMK be accommodated, since there is very little scope of yielding to her demand on the Cauvery issue. Jayalalitha had wantedthe original draft on the Cauvery scheme to be notified by the Centre but with the Supreme Court having been informed of the settlement reached by four chief ministers, things cannot be undone now.The BJP hopes that an increased AIADMK presence will send a signal that the government is more stable and will make it more difficult for the AIADMK to pull out at a later stage or withdraw support. With more AIADMK MPs enjoying ministerial berths, there would be more pressure from within the AIADMK to stick on, say BJP sources.MDMK leader Vaiko is also under increasing pressure from the BJP leadership to join the Government. Although the MDMK, a few months ago, decided not to join the Cabinet at that stage, the BJP feels the Government would appear more stable if the MDMK too participates in it. Vaiko told presspersons that any decision on joining the Cabinet cannot be taken by him individually and that the party would have to decide on it. In any case, even if the party felt it should join the Government,Vaiko has said he would not accept a ministerial post so as to concentrate on party work.In the event of the MDMK agreeing to join the Government, the party is likely to select senior leader Senjee Ramachandran, according to BJP sources.There is also some talk of the PMK having to be given an additional ministership (it has one minister now, Dalit Ezhilmalai), but there is no news yet if this has been accepted by all quarters including the PMK leadership.Meanwhile, the MDMK rally here largely turned out to be a success. Vajpayee, Home Minister L K Advani, Defence Minister George Fernandes, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abullah, Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and the man behind the show of strength, MDMK general secretary Vaiko, were present.
