PMK's alliance with ruling DMK is intact: G K Mani

Tiruchirapalli, July 29 (UNI) The Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK), a key constituent of the ruling DMK-led Democratic Progressive Alliance (DPA), today claimed that there was no rift between the DMK and the party and that their alliance was intact.

Talking to newspersons here, PMK President G K Mani said ''As an opposition party, we (PMK) air our suggestions to the ruling party and hence it doesn't mean that we neither criticise the functioning of the government nor oppose its schemes. Similarly, PMK's relationship with other coalition partners like the Congress, CPI, CPI(M) and Dalit Panthers of India is excellent.'' To a query on DMK President and Chief Minister M Karunanidhi's recent warning to the PMK to end continued open criticisms, Mr Mani replied cautiously that ''We (PMK) never intended to hurt the feelings of the Chief Minister. Only in the larger interest, we gave our suggestions. A section of the media exaggerated our sentiments as if the PMK is working against the government.'' Asked whether the PMK would seek Cabinet berth in the State, he replied in the negative. ''We will not join the ministry and that is not our intention. Our support to the DMK will continue till the Government completes its five-year term and the PMK will be with the DPA in the 2009 Parliament elections too,'' he added.

The PMK leader said the party would be hosting a 'Right to Live' Conference here on August 25, seeking separate reservation for Dalit Christians and Muslims, implementation of Rajendra Sachar Committee recommendations and uplift of backward classes people. Similar conferences would be organised in Madurai, Ramanathapuram, Vellore and Chennai before the year-end.

UNI