Jain Report Taking Toll On Dmk, Maanila Cong Ties
The alliance between Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and Tamil Maanila Congress (TMC) is on the verge of collapse. The DMK is sore that the TMC did not stand by the party as much as the other United Front (UF) constituents after the interim report of the Jain Commission was tabled in Parliament.
On its part, the TMC too has prepared the ground for a break with the DMK by demanding last week that the M Karunanidhi government in Tamil Nadu consult the TMC before taking any policy decisions. No such condition was placed when the alliance was formed, and even when the DMK government assumed power.
The timing of the TMCs demand is considered significant. It was made immediately after extracts of the report appeared in a newsweekly, and its leader have been consistently avoiding any expression of support to the DMK after the report was tabled.
Till yesterday, TMC chief G K Moopanar had not stated his partys position on the report, though he had promised to do so when it is tabled in Parliament. He has also been part of the small minority within the United Front which favours a compromise with the Congress rather than precipitate matters and go in for mid-term polls.
Having strong roots in the Congress, and with a history of opposition to parties like the DMK, the TMC is widely believed to be a step away from joining hands once again with the Congress, if not merging with the parent party. TMC leaders have gone on record stating that they could consider merging with the Congress if Sonia Gandhi takes over leadership.
The friction between the TMC and the DMK may not have much of a bearing on the larger question engaging the Congress and the I K Gujral government, but would change equations at the state level. The DMK has decided to review the relationship with the TMC and the appropriate party meetings are to be convened shortly.
According to Karunanidhi, the partys administrative committee, executive and general council would decide on the continuance of its alliance with TMC. He said yesterday that on its part, the DMK was not responsible for any friction with the TMC.
An important factor in the TMCs cold response on the Jain report implicating the DMK is that P Chidambaram, Union finance minister, and Moopanar are considered close to the Gandhi family, and Chidambaram was in-charge of affairs related to the investigations into Rajiv Gandhis assassination during the tenure of the P V Narasimha Rao government.