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| Karunanidhi to meet Sonia on Tuesday, may haggle for more |
| Press Trust of India / Chennai May 18, 2009, 13:50 IST |
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Amid speculation that DMK would demand more berths in the central cabinet boosted by its impressive show in Lok Sabha polls, Chief Minister M Karunanidhi said on Monday he would discuss the issue with Congress President Sonia Gandhi in New Delhi on Tuesday.
"We have not discussed the number of our ministers. This will be done (in consultation with) Sonia Gandhi on Tuesday', the DMK chief, who would be leaving for New Delhi, told reporters after party Executive meeting.
His comments came in the wake of intense speculations here that the DMK-led front which won 28 of 40 seats, including one of Puducherry, may demand more ministerial berths in addition to the seven in the outgoing ministry.
The Manmohan Singh ministry also had four members from Congress in Tamil Nadu and two from PMK who had resigned just before the polls after striking a pact with AIADMK-led Front.
The DMK's ministerial aspirants this time reportedly include Karunanidhi's son M K Azhagiri, who has made his electoral debut from Madurai, daughter Kanimozhi and grandnephew Dayanidhi Maran. Armed with the DMK executive resolution authorising him to take a decision on the participation in the ministry, Karunanidhi would be leaving for the national capital on Tuesday.
Asked whether he would demand representation to women in the DMK quota, he said an answer to this question could be found only after his meeting with Gandhi.
He said his government would continue to extend its to the new UPA government.
On the Sri Lankan issue, the DMK asked the Centre to put more pressure on the island government to find a permanent solution immediately to the ethnic strife.
The Government should prevail upon Sri Lanka to protect the rights of Tamils and take measures for their peaceful existence, a resolution passed at the Executive meeting said in the wake of the Lankan army closing in on the last foothold of the LTTE.
The plight of Sri Lankan Tamils had emerged as one of the key issues in the just concluded Lok Sabha polls with bitter rivals AIADMK and DMK, both favouring formation of a separate Tamil Eelam.
Asked about the Sethusamudram Shipping Canal project, Karunanidhi said it would be implemented at any cost, despite opposition. The DMK meeting also congratulated Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi and AICC general secretary Rahul Gandhi for taking UPA to victory for a second successive term.
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