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Vaiko denies rift between AIADMK and allies

Marumalarchi DMK general secretary Vaiko today denied any strain in the relationship between his party and the All India Anna DMK, saying such rumours were being spread by some parties for political gain.

Talking to newsmen in Madurai, he said the relations between the MDMK and AIADMK were cordial and that there were no bickerings among the partners in the AIADMK-led front in Tamil Nadu.

On the reported differences among the constituents in the BJP-led alliance, Vaiko said such differences were bound to be there in any alliance.

Prime Minister A B Vajpayee was tackling the issues cautiously and all differences among the constituents would be sorted out at the June 27 coordination committee meeting, he added.

He hoped AIADMK general secretary J Jayalalitha would not withdraw her support to the Vajpayee government.

On the use of Article 356, Vaiko said the consistent stand of his party was that the Article should not be used to dismiss an elected state government.

There were reports of strains in the relationship between the MDMK and the AIADMK over the use of Article 356 as Jayalalitha has been mounting pressure on the Centre to dismiss the Karunanidhi government in the state.

UNI

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