PMK would offer only issue-based support to DMK: Ramadoss

Chennai, Oct 30: Accusing the ruling DMK of ''openly betraying'' its allies in the just-concluded local body elections in Tamil Nadu, Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) founder S Ramadoss today said his party would hereafter offer only issue-based support to the DMK Government.

''We will extend only issue-based support to the DMK Government and not unconditional one. The PMK will function as a responsible opposition in the State,'' he told a press conference here.

He said the party, however, would not withdraw support to the DMK Government, which was 22 short of simple majority in the Assembly.

The PMK chief's public outbursts had brought fissures in the DMK-led Democratic Progressive Alliance (DPA) to the fore.

The DMK had formed the Government with external support from its allies -- the Congress, the PMK, CPI(M) and the CPI.

Dr Ramadoss said the ruling DMK had violated alliance dharma by defeating the PMK in 30 to 40 per cent of seats allocated to it in the local bodies.

Referring to Chief Minister and DMK President M Karunanidhi's statement that mistakes could have occurred in one or two places and it should not be made public, he said ''I was deeply hurt by his statement, making charges against us. How could we take this betrayal lightly?'' Listing out the local body seats where the PMK was defeated by DMK candidates, he said even other DPA allies had been betrayed by the ruling party.

Dr Ramadoss also hinted that Mr Karunanidhi had lost his grip over the DMK which was ''once known for its discipline.'' Citing an instance, he said Avaniapuram, third grade municipality in Madurai district, was allocated to the PMK in the alliance. But the party candidate was not able to file his nominations as DMK men did not come forward to nominate him.

When the candidate met Mr Karunanidhi's son M K Azhagiri thrice and pleaded with him to extend support, he had apparently turned down the plea and remarked ''this is Madurai DMK not Chennai DMK.'' Comparing the DMK and the AIADMK, with which the PMK had struck electoral alliance on earlier occasions, Dr Ramadoss said ''in AIADMK, except for its General Secretaray J Jayalalithaa and her friend Sasikala, the others are good. On the contrary, in the DMK, only Mr Karunanidhi and senior leader K Anbazhagan are good.'' He said the PMK had never violated alliance dharma and his party had helped election of DMK candidates at many places in the civic election.

On Mr Karunanidhi's remark that the differences within the alliance should be resolved through talks and it should not be made public, Dr Ramadoss said he was only airing the sentiments of PMK cadres, who were deeply hurt by the DMK's betrayal.

UNI