No DMK replacement for Maran?

DMK-Cong relationship has been strained since A Raja exit and arrest,followed by arrest of Kanimozhi.

The resignation of Dayanidhi Maran has fuelled further speculation of an imminent Cabinet reshuffle but his party DMK may not be keen on inducting any fresh nominees in the government,at least for the time being.

Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee on Saturday met DMK chief M Karuananidhi in Chennai and may have discussed the latest developments,especially the exit of Maran,and the possible reshuffle of the Union Council of Ministers.

DMK sources said there is a feeling in the party that it should not be seen to be in a hurry to send replacements into the Cabinet.

The DMK is having its crucial General Council meeting on July 23 and 24 in Coimbatore where an entire gamut of issues,especially the ties with Congress,are expected to come up for review against the backdrop of electoral debacle.

The relationship has been strained ever since former Telecom Minister A Raja was forced to quit the government on 2G issue and his subsequent arrest,followed by the arrest of Karunanidhi’s daughter Kanimozhi.

The exit of Maran,again on the issue of 2G scam,has only further soured ties,the sources said adding the party leadership was not not keen to be seen as jockeying for ministerial positions.

Maran resigned on Thursday in the wake of CBI telling the Supreme Court on Wednesday of his role in “forcing” Chennai-based businessman Sivasankaran to sell his stakes to a Malaysian firm in 2006. Maran had,however,denied the charge.

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Karunanidhi’s son M K Azhagiri is the lone DMK representative in the Cabinet now,while there are 4 Ministers of State–S S Palanimanickam,S Jagatrakshakan,Gandhiselvan and D Napolean.

There was speculation that former minister T R Baalu may be inducted into the Cabinet to fill the vacancy caused by Maran along with two others T K S Elangovan and A K S Vijayan.