MDMK withdraws support to UPA Govt

Coimbatore, Mar 16 (UNI) The Marumalarchi DMK (MDMK) today decided to withdraw support to the Congress-led UPA Government at the Centre.

A resolution to this effect, adopted at the partys' zonal conference here this evening, said it decided to withdraw support as the UPA Government had failed to implement the Common Minimum Programme (CMP).

The party alleged that even after three years in power, the UPA Government had failed to implement the CMP.

It further alleged that UPA government has failed to rotect Tamil Nadu's rights on Cauvery, Mullaperiyar and Palar isues.

The MDMK said it had given 17 points for indusion when the CMP was drafted before the 2004 general elections.

The points included linking of southern rivers, 33 per cent Reservation for women in Parliament and State Assemblies, long-term foreign policy, helping solve Sri Lankan ethnic problem and dual citizenships for NRIs.

After the UPA Government came to power, the MDMK extended its unconditional support without accepting any ministerial berth.

The MDMK orginally had four MPs-Gingee N Ramachandran (Vandavasi), L Ganesan (Tiruchirapalli), Dr C Krishnan (Pollachi) and Sippiparai Ravichandran.

Last year, the MDMK split with Mr Ramachandran and Mr Ganesan raising a banner of revolt against Party General Secretary Vaiko.

They were subsequently removed from party posts. They had already pledged support to the UPA Government.

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