TN political scenario poised for interesting developments

Chennai, Aug 24 (UNI) The politial scenario in Tamil Nadu is poised to take some interesting turns as efforts were on to bring back the Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) in the DMK fold, even as the Left parties parted company with the DMK for all practical purposes.

Chief Minister and DMK President M Karunanidhi telling a English daily that the DMK-led alliance would have been much stronger, had PMK remained in the DPA and senior Congress leader P Chidambaram's hope that the PMK would come back to the DMK fold, fuelled speculations that efforts were on for a patch up between the DMK and the PMK.

Hours after the English daily carried Mr Karunanidhi's interview, Mr Chidambarm, after a meeting with the Chief Minister this morning, told newspersons that PMK coming back to the DMK fold could not be ruled out.

Asserting that PMK continued in the Congress-led UPA at the Centre, he said some differences at the local level had resulted in the snapping of ties with the party by the DMK, but it was not final.

''The recent development might give an impression that the PMK parted ways with the DMK, but it cannot be taken as final. Even tomorrow, the PMK may come back'', Mr Chidambaram said setting the stage for a new political realignment in the State.

The DMK, in June, had snapped ties with the PMK, saying that its party leader J Guru spoke in a cheap and derogatory manner that sought to take away the DMK's self-respect.

Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) leader Thol Thirumavalavan, who tried to bring a rapproachment between the two parties, said he would take renewed effort to bring the two parties together, especially in the backdrop of Chief Minister's positive remarks.

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