DMK scrambles to save face over Raja arrest

Chennai, Feb 3: The Dravida Munnettra Kazhagam (DMK) will have to reshuffle their political card games after the embarrassing arrest of A Raja over the 2G spectrum scam. A general council meeting of the DMK is scheduled to be held today (Feb 3) in Chennai on how best to salvage the situation and how to reduce the impact of the blow caused to the party's image.

DMK chief will have to face stiff opposition from dissenting forces within the party. One faction wants to maintain their unconditional support to the tainted Former Telecom Minister A Raja, the other group wants to disown him completely and clear the party's name. The loudest dissenting voice comes from Karunanidhi's son and Union minister MK Azhagiri who has been rallying to suspend A Raja from the party for long.

Azhagiri is supported by Deputy CM of TamilNadu, MK Stalin as well. Karunanidhi recently visited Delhi and held a meeting with PM Manmohan Singh on a damage control mode and to strategise on the upcoming polls in Tamil Nadu.

DMK will rejig its alliances with other parties including Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi and the PMK, party sources said. The DMK meanwhile constituted a five-member committee to negotiate seat-sharing arrangements with its allies.

DMK General Secretary K Anbazhagan, in a statement, said the committee comprise party treasurer M K Stalin, principal secretary N Veerasamy, deputy general secretary Duraimurugan,parliamentary party leader T R Baalu and higher education minister K Ponmudi.

OneIndia News
(With inputs from agencies)