Ganesan drops hint on new party

Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu Jan 9 (UNI) Chairman of the presidium of the breakaway faction of Marumalarchi DMK (MDMK) L Ganesan today hinted that a new political party would be formed with his supporters.

Talking to newspersons here this evening, Mr Ganesan said ''If we (breakaway faction) fail to garner support of majority of MDMK general council members, a new political party would be launched.'' When asked his (Ganesan) stand, if he failed to prove it, Mr Ganesan said ''when Mr Vaiko came out of the DMK in 1993, after levelling series complaints against DMK Supremo M Karunanidhi, Vaiko claimed that his faction was the real DMK. But later, he launched MDMK. So we will also follow his suit.'' To a query, he said only the Election Commission of India could decide which faction had the majority support of the party's general council members.

While thanking M Karunanidhi for inviting him to become part of the DMK-led alliance, Mr Ganesan said his faction would join hands with the DMK to fight for the protection of Dravidian principles.

He would meet Mr Karunanidhi in person before January 12.

He said a meeting of his party's office bearers from Perambalur, Pudukkottai and Tiruchirapalli would be held at Tiruchirapalli after the Pongal festival.

Earlier, as many as 13 MDMK functionaries from Pudukkottai district, including two general council members S Palanimanickam and U K Karupaiah met him and expressed their solidarity with him.

UNI