PMK hopeful of third front by next Assembly polls

By Suresh Nambath

CHENNAI, SEPT. 2. While renewing its commitment to be part of the NDA at the Centre, the PMK is exploring the possibilities of a third front which will include parties such as the MDMK and the TMC.

According to the PMK founder, Dr. S. Ramadoss, all parties other than the AIADMK and the DMK were welcome to join the proposed front.

The only condition is the constituents of the front would have to accept the leadership of the PMK.

Such a front is necessary as the people have tried out both the DMK and the AIADMK in the last ten years, Dr. Ramadoss told The Hindu.

However, Dr. Ramadoss saw prospects of such a third front emerging only by the time of the next Assembly election. For the local bodies polls, the party is yet to finalise its strategy, he said.

(The MDMK has already announced that it would not ally with either the AIADMK or the DMK in the local bodies polls.)

The ``equidistance'' from the DMK and the AIADMK was being reflected in the State Assembly too.

Although the PMK had criticised the AIADMK bitterly while leaving the secular alliance and joining the NDA, the party is more muted in the Assembly while assessing the AIADMK Government's performance.

The PMK does not want to get involved in the political rivalry between the AIADMK and the DMK in the Assembly.

``We don't want to create scenes in the House,'' Dr. Ramadoss said.

The party would rather concentrate on the issues at hand. At the same time, the PMK leader was insistent that his party remained part of the NDA at the Centre. Although the PMK was not included in the Ministry in the recent inductions and reshuffle, Dr. Ramadoss was not unduly worried on this count.

``We never asked for ministerial berths. That was not a condition for our re-entry into the NDA. I never recommended the inclusion of my party MPs in the Government. That is the prerogative of the Prime Minister,'' he said.

Indeed, during his recent meeting with the Prime Minister, he raised only issues such as the Cauvery, though he knew of the impending ministry expansion.

Now, the PMK is likely to wait for its chance to become a more integral part of the NDA. Although keen on joining the Government, the party is willing to bide time.

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