Date:12/05/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/05/12/stories/2006051212530400.htm

Tamil Nadu

Will Congress, PMK join the government?

V. Jayanth

The question is uppermost in people's minds, as the DMK has won less than 100 seats

Congress will take a decision based on discussions its observer will have with Mr. Karunanidhi

If it is to be a coalition regime, chances are that the PMK will also be invited to join

CONGRATULATIONS: TNCC president M. Krishnasswamy and Union Minister EVKS Elangovan greeting DMK president M. Karunanidhi at Anna Arrivalayam in Chennai on Thursday. — Photo: R. Ragu

CHENNAI: With the Democratic Progressive Alliance (DPA) winning an overwhelming majority and the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam winning less than 100 seats on its own, Tamil Nadu has apparently voted for a coalition — for the first time.

The Congress has emerged as a major force, capturing 35 of the 48 seats it contested. The Pattali Makkal Katchi has won in 17 constituencies. The question on everybody's mind is whether these parties will join the Government or extend outside support to the DMK regime.

Congress sources say the high command is sending its observer Veerappa Moily to Chennai to meet DMK chief M. Karunanidhi and discuss government formation in Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry. Based on the discussions a decision will be taken.

Left stand clear

The sources hint that the DMK's views on a possible coalition may influence the Congress decision. If it is to be a coalition, chances are that the PMK will also be invited to join. The Left parties have made it clear they will extend outside support to the DMK.

State Congress leaders are near unanimous in wanting to join the government and see it as a reciprocal gesture to the DMK joining the Congress-led coalition at the Centre. Says a former TNCC president: "Given the nature of the verdict and the need to provide an efficient and stable government, we have suggested to the high command that we could form a coalition. We should know in a day or two."

DMK sources are not willing to commit. Mr. Karunanidhi has said that a decision will be taken after a meeting of the DPA partners. There is a feeling that a DMK Government with outside support from its allies and a consultative committee comprising all the partners can also be considered.

Political analysts note that unless the DPA inched closer to 180 or 190 seats, there was no possibility of the DMK securing a majority on its own. It contested 129 seats and winning 118 out of that would have meant a near complete sweep. But the satisfaction of crossing the magic figure of 100 was not to be, with the northern belt letting the party down. That it was able to win only half of the 14 seats in Chennai pointed to the inroads the AIADMK had made into what used to be the DMK bastion.

Enquiries reveal that after informal consultations among the DPA constituents, a meeting of the DMK legislature party will elect Mr. Karunanidhi as its leader. A meeting of all DPA legislators will follow to choose him as the leader.

Once this is communicated to the Governor, he could invite the DMK chief to form the government.