DMK exits INDIA bloc, not to attend June 8 meet

CHENNAI: DMK is no longer part of the INDIA bloc, party spokesman T K S Elangovan said on Thursday. He made the statement to ANI hours after DMK headquarters issued a press statement saying the party would not participate in the alliance meeting to be held in Delhi on June 8.

The decision comes after Congress, a long-time ally of DMK, severed its ties with the Dravidian party to join the TVK-led govt in Tamil Nadu. “DMK cadres were upset at Congress betraying the party after the assembly election. To give respect to their sentiments, DMK will not participate in the INDIA bloc meeting. In short, DMK will not participate in the meeting in which Congress participates,” a statement said.

DMK leaders said the party MPs, however, would support other parties in the alliance when they raise issues affecting the common good. Earlier, there were rumours that DMK might not be invited for the meeting scheduled at Constitutional Club in Delhi, since it was unsure whether DMK still continues in the INDIA bloc. DMK got an invitation.

Meanwhile, PTI reported that the Lok Sabha secretariat has approved DMK MPs to be seated separately in Lok Sabha, away from Congress MPs. The move came after DMK leader Kanimozhi Karunanidhi wrote to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla requesting a change in the seating arrangement in view of the changed political circumstances. DMK MPs are yet to be assigned new seats.

Congress, which contested 28 seats as part of the DMK-led alliance and won five seats, supported the C Joseph Vijay-led govt in return for two ministerial berths. DMK leaders called this action of Congress “backstabbing” and “betrayal”.

A section of Congress leaders had been demanding power-sharing. DMK was able to silence this section, but the alliance lost the polls and TVK, with 108 seats, garnered support from erstwhile allies Congress, VCK, IUML, CPI and CPM to win the confidence vote. VCK and IUML, too have joined the govt, with one minister each.