PT also against PMK re-entry

By S. Dorairaj

TUTICORIN, JULY 28. Though the Pattali Makkal Katchi has succeeded in finding its way into the NDA at the national level, the party efforts at joining the DMK-led front in the State seem to have run into rough weather with the Puthiya Tamizhagam, which has a considerable following among Dalits in southern districts, throwing a spanner in the works, close on the heels of the Dalit Panthers of India expressing dissent.

The PT leader, Dr. K. Krishnasamy, even while hailing the DMK president, Mr. M. Karunanidhi's stand that he would not take any decision on allowing the PMK into the front without consulting other allies, told presspersons at Kovilpatti today that people had developed a dislike for the PMK's ``political opportunism''.

Dr. Krishnasamy said he would put forth the PT's views on the PMK's re-entry at a meeting of the DMK's allies to be convened by Mr. Karunanidhi.

Dr. Krishnasamy said there was an impression among the public that the PMK leader, Dr. S. Ramadoss, ``with selfish motive'', had been trying to capitalise on the mood of the masses by changing the party's strategy during different elections.

DMK persuasion may not work

Radha Venkatesan reports from Chennai

The DMK's efforts at convincing the DPI to co-exist with the PMK may come a cropper, as the DPI convener, Mr. R. Tirumavalavan is not yet ready for a handshake with his arch-rival, Dr. Ramadoss.

During his meeting with Mr. Karunanidhi yesterday, Mr. Tirumavalavan unequivocally said there was no question of the DPI sinking its differences with the PMK, the party sources said here.

The DPI leader is stated to have told Mr. Karunanidhi that his party will be unable to remain even an ``indirect ally'' of the PMK. For, the party would lose its Dalit vote base if it aligned with the ``anti-Dalit'' PMK. Listing the recent incidents of burning of Dalit huts in northern districts allegedly by PMK men, Mr. Tirumavalavan said aligning with that party would be seen as ``betraying the Dalits''.

Mr. Tirumavalavan, who won from Mangalur in the recent Assembly election on DMK ticket, is also said to have informed Mr. Karunanidhi that he was ready to give up his seat if need be. The DPI would not remain in a front in which the PMK existed, he categorically stated.

After gauging his strong views, Mr. Karunanidhi said he would meet him again on August 1 for further discussions.

The DPI's central committee would meet in Pondicherry on Monday to elicit the views of the party functionaries. The party has also decided to hold district-level conference to gauge the mood of the Dalits in north Tamil Nadu.

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