PMK to discuss ouster at general body meeting

Chennai, Jun 18 (UNI) The Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK), ousted from the DMK-led Democratic Progressive Alliance (DPA) in Tamil Nadu, has convened its general body to meet here on June 20 to decide the future course of action.

Party President G K Mani, who convened the meeting, said in a release here that party office bearers, right from the block level, would attend the crucial meeting to be held at Kamaraj Arangam.

The general body meeting had been convened to elicit the views of partymen at all levels before taking a final decision on the course of action to be taken by the party in the wake of its ouster from the DMK-led alliance, he said.

''Initially, we thought of convening the executive to take a decision, but later decided to throw the issue open to the party cadres at all levels and take them into confidence'', Mr Mani told UNI, when contacted.

The relations between the DMK and the PMK were on the rocks, ever since the latter turned an acerbic critic of the DMK Government and the climax reached last evening when DMK chief M Karunanidhi announced snapping of ties with the PMK.

Despite being shown the door, the PMK still heaved a sigh of relief as Mr Karunanidhi made it clear that he would not insist on the ouster of the PMK from the Congress-led UPA Government at the Centre.

Unless the PMK decided otherwise, there was no immediate threat to Dr Anbumani Ramadoss, son of PMK founder-leader S Ramadoss and Mr R Velu to continue as Union Health Minister and Minister of State for Railways respectively.

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