Senior Congress leader and UPA's trouble shooter Pranab Mukherjee met DMK chief M Karunanidhi on Saturday and clarified that there is no problem with the alliance with DMK. He also assured that the Congress-DMK alliance will continue.
"There is lots of writing and speculation on DMK-Congress alliance continuing or not. The alliance is there and will continue, it will be strengthened, said Mukherjee.
The DMK has decided to back down and not make demands ahead of the big Cabinet reshuffle that takes place on Monday. Former textiles minister Dayanidhi Maran also attended the meeting.
This is the first meeting between the two parties since Dayanidhi Maran's resignation over the Aircel sale controversy in the 2G spectrum scam on Friday.
Pranab also added, "I took the opportunity of calling down Karunanidhi and discuss the political situation in the country. It's a courtesy whenever I come to Chennai to meet Karunanidhi."
The DMK had earlier made it clear that it won't be pressing for replacements for Dayanidhi Maran or for former Telecom Minister A Raja which means the DMK is making its peace with holding just one cabinet berth now currently held by MK Alagiri.
It was being speculated that the two leaders may finalise the DMK's portfolio in the new cabinet during this meeting. Mukherjee was asked questions on Cabinet reshuffle which he did not respond to.
In 2009, the prime minister had put his foot down on the induction of former Union Minister TR Baalu and may not want him now. Within the DMK too, Baalu has had differences with Stalin and has had a difficult equation with Dayanidhi Maran.
Apart from Baalu, naming any other candidate could result in creating internal troubles.
The bottom line though is that the DMK, which started UPA II with three cabinet berths, may now be happy with just one - that of Union Minister and Karunanidhi's elder son MK Azhagiri.
"We have no demands from the Cabinet," said Karunanidhi earlier on Friday.
Saturday, 9 July 2011
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