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DMK inching closer to BJP-led front

The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam appears to be keen on forging a new front consisting of the Bharatiya Janata Party, Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazagham, Pattali Makkal Katchi and Tamizhaga Rajiv Congress in Tamil Nadu to fight the coming Lok Sabha elections.

Addressing the media on Sunday in the presence of Union Petroleum Minister and TRC leader Vazhapadi K Ramamurthy, DMK president and Chief Minister M Karunanidhi said, "(M G Ramachrandran-Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazagham leader S) Thirunavukkarasu and R M Veerappan of the MGR-Kazhagam are with us. We will seek their support." He was reacting to Thirunavukkarasu's remark that he ''was willing to join a strong front to isolate the AIADMK''.

On the response of the PMK and MDMK to the idea of a new front, he said ''everything would go on without a hitch''.

Ramamurthy said he had appealed to the DMK to join the front. He was satisfied with the outcome of the talks, he added.

He hoped that the PMK, led by Dr S Ramadoss, would continue to be part of the BJP-led front. "I am in constant touch with Dr Ramadoss," he added.

Asked about the charges levelled by him against the DMK, he said he would forget them as 'a bad dream'.

BJP Tamil Nadu unit general secretary H Raja has welcomed the DMK's stand.

Referring to the resolution passed at the DMK administrative committee meeting on Saturday, which hinted at a pact with the BJP, he said that ''this was a change for the better''.

UNI

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