DMK to stay with Cong for now

Intense speculation surrounding the DMKs reported plans to quit the Union Cabinet and perhaps even from the coalition with the Congress fizzled out again.

Intense speculation surrounding the DMKs reported plans to quit the Union Cabinet and perhaps even from the coalition with the Congress fizzled out again,after the regional party decided to continue the battle over 2G spectrum scam legally.

We dont have any problems with the Congress, said party chief M Karunanidhi,replying to queries from the media after the high-level committee meeting of the party at the headquarters on Friday evening.

As the meeting was convened after the 2G scam probe resulted in the arrest of two key members,including Karunanidhis daughter Kanimozhi,there were rumours about the continuation of the alliance,which were strengthened by Karunanidhis recent statements against the Congress and its government.

However,the former chief minister claimed the issue was blown out of proportion by vested interests,adding that the corruption charges that rose out of the case were not a reason for his dethronement in the Assembly polls.

When asked repeatedly about the relationship with the Congress in the coming days,Karunanidhi said the general council of the party,the body that has the powers to decide on matters regarding alliances,would be held in July where it would be taken up for discussion.

Though Karunanidhis recent statements indicated that the partnership may collapse,sources said his kin and party leaders M K Stalin,M K Alagiri and Dayanidhi Maran both Cabinet ministers at the Centre were opposed to any drastic step at this juncture,which is unlikely to bring about any positive development legally or politically.

Those opposed to snapping ties with the Congress argued that such a decision would only give space to the rampaging AIADMK to form a partnership with the party ruling at the Centre. Thus,instead of any political step,the party trained its guns on the CBI for wrongfully arresting Kanimozhi and Kalaignar TV managing director Sharad Kumar.

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The amount the channel received from a private company,linked to one of the beneficiaries of former Union minister A Rajas spectrum distribution method,was an over the board business transaction between two entities completely unconnected to the 2G spectrum sale and the allegation of the scam that surrounds it,claimed the DMK. Citing legal experts,the resolution passed at the meeting also condemned the CBI for arresting a person who was summoned by the court.

The DMK has decided to approach the Supreme Court over these two matters. It has also planned to reach out to its cadres and the general public through a series of public meetings to be held from June 20 to 30.

Senior leaders of the party,including parliamentary party leader T R Baalu,Union ministers and others were present at the meeting chaired by Karunanidhi.