Stalin saves day, Karuna to meet PM today

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The strained relations between the DMK and the Congress were saved from fracture by the timely intervention of deputy chief minister M.K. Stalin, who convinced his father M. Karunanidhi late Sunday evening that it was not politically correct to keep away from meeting the visiting Prime Minister, whatever be the provocation.
Earlier in the day, chief minister Karunanidhi chose to skip both his appointments with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh — the reception at the airport when the Prime Minister and the one-on-one at Raj Bhavan shortly afterwards.
Instead, he participated in a function to release a book at a hotel just across the airport. With political circles agog with rumours that Mr Karunanidhi boycotting the PM meant the breaking of the DMK-Congress alliance, Mr Stalin, along with party general secretary K. Anbazhagan, met his father and pleaded for reconciliation. The two pointed out to Mr Karunanidhi that his decision to keep away from the PM would send the wrong signals.
Mr Stalin also told his father that the PM at the airport reception — the deputy CM represented the state government — enquired whether Mr Karunanidhi would be meeting him and he (Stalin) had replied in the affirmative. After this, Mr Karunanidhi agreed to meet the PM and a fresh appointment was sought with the PMO, which was fixed for 8.30 am on Monday.