Crisis blows over as PMK relents on RS seat issue

Chennai, Mar 13 (UNI) The crisis confronting the ruling DMK-led Democratic Progressive Alliance (DPA) in Tamil Nadu over denial by the DMK of a Rajya Sabha seat to its alliance partner Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) appears to have blown over for now, with the party (PMK) deciding to vote for the victory of the DPA candidates in the March 26 elections to the Upper House.

The decision was taken tonight during a crucial meeting of the PMK to decide its stand on the Rajya Sabha Polls to be held on March 26.

Aggrieved over the denial of a seat for the biennial polls, the PMK had set a March 15 deadline (the last day of filing nominations) to the DMK to consider its demand for a seat.

The meeting recalled Chief Minister M Karunanidhi's appeal to the PMK to re-think its stand on the demand for a RS seat.

Senior Congress Leader Ahmed Patel had also spoken to Union Health Minister and PMK nominee in the Manmohan Singh Cabinet, Mr Anbumani Ramadoss and PMK Founder-Leader S Ramadoss three to four times in the course of a week, appealing for the party's support to the DPA candidates in the elections.

State CPI (M) leaders had also met Dr S Ramadoss and sought his co-operation in ensuring the victory of Party Candidate T K Rengarajan in the elections.

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