Cong makes last-ditch efforts to retain PMK in UPA

Congress is making last-ditch efforts for its continuance in UPA with senior Cong leaders set to hold talks with Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss.

Amid reports that PMK has decided to join hands with AIADMK for the Lok Sabha polls,Congress is making last-ditch efforts for its continuance in UPA with senior Congress leaders set to hold talks with Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss.

Congress’ efforts to retain the party in its fold come in the backdrop of intense speculation in Chennai that the PMK,which has six MPs,will pull out of the UPA coalition at the Centre.

Congress sources said Ramadoss,who was considering putting in his papers,may hold talks with senior party leaders Ahmed Patel and Ghulam Nabi Azad in New Delhi.

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The speculation about Ramadoss’ resignation started when the Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss left Chennai for New Delhi.

Tamil Nadu Congress leaders,who made last-ditch efforts to retain PMK in the alliance yesterday,said their bid was “unsuccessful” as the PMK founder S Ramadoss had “already made up his mind” to go with the AIADMK. Virtually shutting its doors on PMK,DMK chief M Karunanidhi had last night said the DMK-led front in Tamil Nadu comprised only the Congress,IUML,Manitha Neya Katchi (floated by Tamil Nadu Muslim Munnetra Kazhagam) and Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK).

“DMK-led Front in Tamil Nadu comprises Congress,IUML,Manitha Neya Katchi (floated by Tamil Nadu Muslim Munnetra Kazhagam) and Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi,” Karunanidhi had said.

Karunanidhi’s reply came in response to a question about the composition of the DMK-led Front.

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His remarks came following his meeting with Tamil Nadu Congress Committee President K V Thangkabalu and Congress Legislature Party Leader D Sudarsanam.