Karunanidhi stakes claim to form new govt in TN

Chennai, May 12: DMK President M Karunanidhi today staked claim to form a new government in Tamil Nadu.

Armed with a letter electing him as the leader of the DMK legislature party, the octagenarian leader called on Governor Surjit Singh Barnala at Raj Bhavan and staked his claim to form the government.

He also handed over letters of unconditional support given to him by the Congress and the Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK).

The Left parties had directly sent their letters of support to the Governor.

Earlier, Mr Karunanidhi was unanimously elected as the leader of the legislature party at a meeting of party MLAs held at 'Anna Arivalayam.' After DMK General Secretary K Anbazhagan moved a resolution in this regard, party Treasurer Arcot N Veerasamy seconded it and the 96 MLAs unanimously passed the resolution.

The swearing-in-ceremony is scheduled to take place at Nehru stadium tomorrow.

The Democratic Progressive Alliance (DPA) has won 163 seats in the May eight Assembly election, with the DMK claiming 96 seats, 22 short of forming a government on its own.

Amid speculation about formation of the state's first coalition government, the DPA constituents -- Congress, PMK and the Left parties -- have chosen not to share power and have extended unconditional support to the government to be formed by the DMK.

UNI