'Cong., AIADMK tie-up hinges on PMK factor'

By Our Special Correspondent

BANGALORE, FEB. 17. The Congress will decide on the continuation of its alliance with the AIADMK only after the party leaders discuss with the AIADMK supremo, Ms. J.Jayalalitha, on her party's tie-up with the Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK).

Speaking to presspersons, the party general- secretary, Mr. Gulam Nabi Azad, who was recently put incharge of Tamil Nadu, said that the party's alliance with the AIADMK already existed and it was not new and, therefore, there was no fresh realignment.

However, the party wanted to know the type of arrangement the AIADMK proposed to have with the PMK and then decide on its future course of action, depending on the clarification provided by Ms. Jayalalitha. There would not have been any issue, if PMK was not involved, he added.

The Congress President, Ms. Sonia Gandhi, who arrived from Mayiladuthurai after launching the party's campaign meeting, said she could react only after the party leaders, Mr. Pranab Mukherjee and Mr. Azad, discussed with Ms. Jayalalitha on Monday next. With regard to PMK, she said her party had ``some concerns'' but added that dialogue would continue.

Mr. Azad said the party had already discussed with its leaders in Pondicherry and Tamil Nadu. Both the Congress and Tamil Maanila Congress, led by Mr. G.K.Moopanar were together. Asked whether the merger would take place between the two parties, he said ``We will see.'' He said the party had made clear to the Trinamool Congress leader, Ms. Mamata Banerjee, that if she continued to align with the BJP in West Bengal, it would be difficult for the party to have anything to do with her. ``If she comes out of the National Democratic Alliance, we can accept her and even make her the chief ministerial candidate in West Bengal,'' he added.

Mr. Azad said the crucial point for the party now was the PMK, which recently pulled out of the NDA and joined hands with the AIADMK in Tamil Nadu, and the BJP with whom Trinamool Congress had aligned in West Bengal.

Earlier, Ms. Gandhi was welcomed by the KPCC(I) president, Mr. V.S.Koujlagi, the Chief Minister, Mr. S.M.Krishna, and several Ministers on her arrival from Mayiladuthurai. She made a brief halt in the morning in the city en route to Mayiladuthurai to launch the party's campaign in Tamil Nadu for the coming Assembly elections. She met senior party leaders at Raj Bhavan.

Before leaving for Delhi, she discussed with Mr. Krishna and other party leaders the preparations made for the plenary session to be held at Bangalore next month.

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Section  : National
Previous : Congress the only hope, says Sonia
Next     : Opposition has ammunition for Budget session