Karunanidhi 'extremely happy' at Vaiko staying with DPA

Chennai, Feb 22 (UNI) Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) President M Karunanidhi today said he became extremely happy when MDMK General Secretary Vaiko announced his decision to remain in the DMK-led Democratic Progressive Alliance (DPA).

In a letter to party cadre, he said his happiness was manifold when Mr Vaiko came out with a statement on February 20, pledging support to the DPA, even as he was leaving for Tiruchirapalli to oversee arrangements for the party conference there.

Mr Karunanidi said when he landed in Tiruchirapalli, he got a warm reception by beaming senior leaders, who conveyed that he had the greatest task of carrying on and protecting the Dravidian movement.

'With the strength of our allies - the Congress, Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK), Marumalarchi DMK (MDMK), Left Parties, Indian Union Muslim League and other friendly parties, let us convert our hard work into victory in the coming Assembly elections,' he said.

The DMK chief said arrangements being made for the mega conference showed that not only would the conference be a massive success, but the state would be free from the hands of 'autocrats' after the poll.

Mr Karunanidhi said attempts had been made to weaken the Dravidian movement by creating a wedge and through a disinformation campaign, but everything had ended well and the unity being displayed by them had made adversaries 'hang their heads in shame.' He was also happy that Dravidar Kazhagam President K Veeramani would unveil portraits of leaders of the self respect movement at the conference.

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