DMK opposes Centre's move to divest stake in NLC

Chennai, Jun 25 (UNI) The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), a key constituent of the Congress-led UPA Government at the Centre, today opposed the Union Government's decision to divest ten per cent of its equity in the public sector Neyveli Lignite Corporation (NLC).

In a message to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, a copy of which was released to the press here, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi asked the Centre to reconsider the decision, saying the opposing views could not be ignored by the Centre.

''Any deviation from the accepted Common Minimum Programme (CMP), whatever reasons may be give, would amount to diluting the agreed principles,'' he said.

Later, talking to newspersons after chairing a meeting of party district secretaries at DMK Headquarters 'Anna Arivalayam,' he said the DMK-led Labour Progressive Front (LPF) would join the indefinite strike announced by the NLC employees in protest against the move.

Asked whether the Union Ministers belonging to the DMK had opposed the Centre's decision at the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs meeting, Mr Karunanidhi said he said was not sure whether they attended the meeting as most of them had gone on foreign tour.

''I am not sure whether the DMK Ministers had opposed (the decision) or not...as a Chief Minister, I am placing this demand (that the Centre should reconsider its decision on disinvestment),'' he said.

Mr Karunanidhi replied in the negative when asked whether the Third Front, being formed by the Left parties, would pose threat to the Manmohan Singh Government.

''There will not be any danger to Manmohan Singh Government,'' he said.

MORE UNI WS GM PC1505