TMC not enthused

By Our Special Correspondent

CHENNAI, FEB. 18. While the ruling DMK's offer of 40 seats to the TMC ``is more attractive'' than the AIADMK's package, the TMC leadership, it appears, is in no mood to grab the DMK offer. Though the TMC is keeping open the channels of negotiations with the DMK, it is clear, at least, on one issue: no truck with the BJP-inclusive DMK front.

As the DMK president, Mr. M. Karunanidhi, has categorically stated that he would not dump the BJP for the TMC, the party leadership is not too enamoured of the DMK offer. However, the TMC would use the DMK package to bargain with the AIADMK for more seats. As of now, the party is seriously pursuing only two options. One, continue bargaining with the AIADMK for a raise in number of seats on offer. Two, float a third front along with the Congress and a few caste-based parties. While the TMC is willing to settle for 40 seats, the AIADMK's present offer is ``less than 40 seats.''

Though a majority of the TMC cadres prefer an alliance with the AIADMK and is not in favour of a third front, the dilemma for the TMC leadership now is whether it should sail with the AIADMK, if the latter decides to dump the Congress and increase the offer of seats for the TMC. While the TMC cadres are in favour of elbowing out the Congress for an alliance with the AIADMK, the party president, Mr. G.K. Moopanar, going by his past record, is unlikely to leave his parent party high and dry, say sources in the TMC.

If the Congress is shown the door by the AIADMK, the TMC too, may keep out of the AIADMK front and opt for a third front.

However, the TMC's decision would largely hinge on the outcome of the crucial meeting of senior Congress leaders, Mr. Gulam Nabi Azad and Mr. Pranab Mukherjee, with the AIADMK general secretary, Ms. Jayalalitha, tomorrow. The Congress emissaries, who arrived here tonight, would meet Mr. Moopanar in the morning before their parleys with Ms. Jayalalitha.

Sources say the Congress leaders, during their meeting with Ms. Jayalalitha, would seek an assurance on the question of power in Pondicherry and number of seats for the Tamil Nadu Congress. And, they are unlikely to focus on the pro-LTTE leanings of the PMK, though it is a ``matter of concern'' for the Congress.

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Section  : Southern States
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