Congress not to participate in TN government : DMK

New Delhi, June 5 (UNI) The Congress will not join the Karunanidhi government in Tamil Nadu, it was officially announced today, setting at rest speculation in this regard.

Amid reports that the local Congressmen were in favour of participating in the DMK government, Chief Minister M Karunanidhi today met Congress President Sonia Gandhi at her official 10 Janpath residence.

However, the issue of power sharing in Tamil Nadu, where the Democratic Progressive Alliance (DPA) led by the DMK swept the May polls, did not figure in today's meeting between the two leaders lasting 30 minutes.

"We have not discussed the issue of Congress participation in our government," Mr Karunanidhi told newspersons after the meeting with Ms Gandhi in his first visit to the capital city after taking over as Chief MInister for the fifth time last month.

"A decision in this regard has been taken pre-poll. Therefore, there is no need for a discussion on the issue," Union Communications Minister Dayanidhi Maran, who accompanied Mr Karunanidhi at the meeting, said.

Asked if MDMK of V Gopalaswamy, who fought against the DPA in the company of the rival AIADMK in the assembly poll, is still a partner of the ruling UPA at the centre, Mr Karunanidhi said the issue did not figure at his meeting with Ms Gandhi. "We have not discussed the issue...there is no need for discussing it also." "Where does the MDMK stand in the UPA," he asked.

When reporters wanted to know why there was no official word yet on whether MDMK was expelled from the UPA, Mr Karunanidhi said "you people are shrewd. you can find this out." Mr Karunanidhi said he discussed with Ms Gandhi the development projects for the state.

He said steps would be taken to implement a Special Economic Zone at Nanguneri. Free supply of colour television sets which formed part of the poll promise of the DPA would be implemented. The television sets required for the scheme would be manufactured at the Nanguneri zone.

In a rare gesture, Ms Gandhi came out of her residence to receive Mr Karunanidhi.

Mr Karunanidhi presented a bouquet and 'ponnadai' (golden shawl) to Ms Gandhi.

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