Congress did not approach DMK: Azhagiri

Chennai, May 24: MK Azhagiri, the senior Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) leader and eldest son of party supreme M Karunanidhi, created a political controversy of sorts on Sunday, May 24 when he said that the Congress leadership had not discussed portfolio allocation with the DMK during their meetings in New Delhi last week.

He said that the decision on portfolios would only be determined after the Congress contacts his party leadership in Chennai. Azhagiri"s controversial comment came as Karunanidhi was locked in discussions with senior party leaders till late Saturday night, grappling with the question of whether the DMK should accept ministerial berths and portfolios offered by the Congress.

With the second expansion of the cabinet taking place on Tuesday, May 26, sources say the deal with the Congress could be clinched on Sunday, May 24.

Karunanidhi is faced with the dilemma of dividing the cabinet berths currently on offer between the family and the party.

Meanwhile, key Congress negotiator, Ghulam Nabi Azad, has said there are no differences of opinion with the Dravida Munnettra Kazhagam (DMK) party.

"There is no problem whatsoever with DMK (Dravida Munnettra Kazhagam). We had mutually decided that we would fix some other day to talk to each other because this time we did not have much time. The date of swearing in ceremony was already fixed. And it needed two-three sittings and even DMK itself also said that we will sit on some other occasions," Azad said.

ANI