DMK emergency session to discuss Cabinet seats

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DMK general secretary K. Anbazhagan late Wednesday called for an ‘emergency session’ of party’s executive meeting at the DMK headquarters here on October 1 amid reports that party president M Karunanidhi has turned down the Congress offer of Cabinet berths at the Centre.

Also, the party’s upper crest is in a state of shock following ‘resumption’ of police action against senior leaders in connection with alleged land-grab and quarrying of sand and stone.

Reports said the DMK chief rejected the offer of berths brought by Union minister V. Narayanasamy on Tuesday.

He has been unhappy with the Congress leadership over a few issues, particularly the ‘anti-people’ decisions on diesel price hike, FDI in retail and above all, the arrest of daughter Kanimozhi in the 2G case.

Also, party seniors and cadres have been openly advocating snapping of ties with the Congress and getting an alternative alliance ready for the Lok Sabha poll in 2014.

While saying no to Narayanasamy, the DMK chief also qualified his refusal by saying that his party executive would take a final decision on this issue.

The October 1 session could ratify his decision to turn down the Congress offer. The Congress emissary had pointed out that with 18 MPs, the DMK is now the biggest ally in the UPA after the exit of Mamata’s TMC and so, it was only proper that Karunanidhi accepts two Cabinet berths to fill the vacancies caused by the exit of A Raja and Dayanidhi Maran (over the 2G scam).

The Congress is keen on strengthening the post-Mamata UPA and getting the DMK to fill up the two vacancies in the government could help.

However, the DMK does not appear excited as that would increase its commitment to the UPA, which Karunanidhi is not quite comfortable with at the moment, party sources said.

Also, it would be difficult for the octogenarian to decide on two nominees for the berths from the many aspirants belonging to the two rival camps of his squabbling sons, Union minister Alagiri and party treasurer Stalin.

There is also a demand in some quarters of the DMK that his daughter and Rajya Sabha member Kanimozhi should be made a minister.