Making up for any time lost in observing protocol, chief minister and DMK president M. Karunanidhi cemented the ongoing ties with the Congress by meeting Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at Raj Bhavan on Monday morning.
The politically correct gesture from the chief minister, even if it was belated, may have helped ease the misgivings over relations between the two parties having hit rock bottom after the CM skipped his appointment with the PM on Sunday evening. He had not received him at the airport either.
When Mr Karunanidhi’s convoy reached Raj Bhavan, albeit a couple of minutes behind schedule, the PM waited at the portico to receive him, sources said. Dr Singh also showed great courtesy in walking to see off the wheelchair-bound chief minister to his car and then waved him goodbye.
The half-hour one-on-one meeting between the two leaders is the first since senior DMK leader A. Raja was forced to resign from the Union Cabinet in the wake of the 2G spectrum allocation scam. Later, Dr Singh told reporters ,“Well, the alliance remains as strong as ever.” Describing the meeting as cordial, the Prime Minister said he had discussed with Mr Karunanidhi the flood situation in Tamil Nadu, the environmental clearance for the Adyar Park and the relations between the UPA allies.
Mr Karunanidhi also echoed the sentiment saying the relations between the two parties were “strong as the ties between you (media) and me.” Asked whether the 2G spectrum scam had affected the ties, he replied in the negative. Among the issues discussed by the two leaders was the UPA offensive to take on the noises being generated by the opposition over the 2G scam, sources said.
DMK sources said the meeting was “extremely fruitful” and the chief minister was very happy after the discussions with the Prime Minister. Mr Karunanidhi reiterated the state’s demand for `1,832-crore relief to carryout flood restoration works.
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India to get Navratna varsities soon
age CORRESPONDENT
Chennai
Jan. 3: The Union HRD ministry has plans of upgrading specialised universities in the country to Navratna status along the lines of Navratna public sector companies, which get more funding and autonomy from the Union government.
Delivering his keynote address on “quality education and excellence in science research in Indian universities” at the Indian Science Congress at SRM University, Union HRD minister Kapil Sibal said in order to meet challenges in higher education, the ministry was working towards Navratna universities or an Indian Ivy League.
“We intend to nurture these select universities, like the public sector Navratnas, with generous financial support, and total autonomy,” he said.