TN: Karunanidhi willing to reconsider PMK's ouster

Chennai, Jun 20: Three days after removing the PMK from the DPA, DMK president and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi today said he would reconsider the decision, if the PMK expressed regret and took action against its functionary ''Kaduvetti'' Guru for his disparaging remarks against the DMK leaders.

Mr Karunanidhi gave this assurance to Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) president Thol Thirumavalavan, whose party was also a constituent of the DPA, when the latter called on him at his Gopalapuram Residence this morning. Emerging out of the meeting, which lasted nearly half an hour, Mr Thirumavalavan told reporters that Mr Karunanidhi assured of reconsidering his decision of ousting the PMK and bring it back to the DPA-fold, if it expressed regret and took action against Mr Guru, also the president of Vanniyar Sangam.

He said Mr Guru made some inflammatory and derogatory remarks against DMK Leaders and Senior Ministers and also threatened to behead them.

''The PMK has neither expressed regret for his remarks nor took any action against Mr Guru. So we are forced to take the painful decision of expelling the PMK from the DPA,'' the VCK leader said quoting the Chief Minister.

Virtually donning the role of a mediator, Mr Thirumavalavan said as a responsible coalition partner, he had initiated steps to bring about a rapprochement between the DMK and PMK to ensure the alliance remained intact.

''It is the responsibility of all the partners in the DPA to ensure that the alliance remained unaffected.'' He said talks had already been held with the Left Parties in this regard and met the Chief Minister today.

''I will also meet PMK Chief S Ramadoss to ensure the alliance remained strong.'' The DMK Patriarch's sudden dilution on his stand comes at a time when the PMK is holding its crucial General Council Meeting in the city to discuss the future course of action, following its ouster from the DPA.

UNI