A divorced Congress keeps hope afloat

The DMK's decision to pull out of the UPA Government appears to have come as a surprise for the Congress, which still feels all is not lost and negotiations could continue.

Party spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi gave a guarded reaction on the development, keeping alive the hopes of a settlement over the seat-sharing issue.

"There is no need to comment on it now. This (has happened) in the middle of negotiations and unnecessary press comments will muddy the waters," was the refrain of Singhvi.

Indicating that the party has been caught off-guard on the issue, a senior party functionary, who did not wish to be identified, said, "We are not going to react until the DMK officially communicates to us the decision."

DMK is the first ally of the Congress led UPA to pull out of the ruling coalition at the Centre.

With 18 MPs in the Lok  Sabha, it is the third largest constituent of the UPA after Congress and the Trinamool Congress.