Cong-DMK chill thaws

The Congress’ flexibility in the initial ministry-formation exercise with regard to Sharad Pawar’s dual portfolio is leading the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) to believe that it may be possible to wear down the Congress’s resistance to both the names proposed and ministries demanded by it.

DMK had decided to give the government some time to decide its stance on portfolios and had announced it would discuss the participation in the Union Government at its Executive Council meeting.

There were indications today that the stand-off could end soon. DMK chief M Karunanidhi said Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s remarks on the issue of induction of two ministers from his party had cleared the air. Responding to Prime Minister Singh’s invitation to participate in the Ministry, Karunanidhi, in a three-line statement, thanked him and said: “Our high-level action committee will soon take a decision.”

“We thank Manmohan Singh’s clarification on the DMK Ministers in his previous cabinet, TR Baalu and A Raja, who had been the target of some Delhi-based satellite television channels,” he said. The Prime Minister had yesterday described Baalu and Raja as “our honoured colleagues”.

“There is no question about having any reservation,” he had told reporters at the swearing-in ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan on being asked about the two DMK leaders. Singh had also hoped that DMK, which had announced that it will support the government from outside, would “see reason” and reconsider its decision.

Karunanidhi this morning continued informal discussions with his senior party leaders on the Congress’ reported offer of three Cabinet Ministers and four Ministers of State in a bid to end the deadlock between the two parties on ministerial berths and portfolios.

Baalu, Raja and Dayanidhi Maran are the names doing the rounds for Cabinet berths. M K Azhagiri, Karunanidhi’s son, and Kanimozhi, his daughter, are tipped to become Ministers of State with independent charge and MPs S Jagatrakshakan and AKS Vijayan could become Ministers of State. DMK leaders who met Karunanidhi declined to reveal details of the talks.

“I cannot share with you what transpired inside (the house) but can only say that discussions (over joining the Union Cabinet) were held,” the party’s senior leader and PWD Minister Duraimurugan said.