Anbumani Ramadoss, Velu to quit Manmohan govt

Union Health Minister Dr Anbumani Ramadoss and Minister of State for Railways R Velu would be quitting the Manmohan Singh Ministry, with their party, PMK, finally deciding to go with the rival alliance headed by AIADMK to contest the Lok Sabha polls.

Speaking to reporters here today on the sidelines of the PMK general council, which voted in favour of the AIADMK alliance, Anbumani said he would hand over his resignation within the next two days.

"I will meet the Prime Minister within the next two days and submit the resignation," he said.

Anbumani, son of PMK founder S Ramadoss, had been negotiating with the Congress for a poll pact on behalf of his party for the last few days as Congress made last-ditch efforts to keep PMK in the DMK-led alliance which swept the polls last time by winning all the 39 seats.

"I will be informing the Congress about the party's decision taken to align with the AIADMK as per the wishes of party workers," he said.

Velu, another senior PMK leader, is also expected to quit along with Ramadoss.