Will meet Karunanidhi at right time: Ramadoss

By Our Special Correspondent

SALEM, AUG. 5. The Pattali Makkal Katchi founder, Dr. S. Ramadoss, today said he would meet the former Chief Minister, Mr. M. Karunanidhi, at an appropriate time to discuss with him the issue of ``the PMK joining the DMK-led NDA in Tamil Nadu.''

Since certain constituents of the alliance had differing views, he did not want to embarrass Mr. Karunanidhi at this juncture, Dr. Ramadoss told presspersons here. While Mr. S. Kannappan of the Makkal Tamil Desam and Mr. Thirunavukkarasu of the MGR-ADMK said they had no reservations about the PMK being taken back into the NDA, two other parties (the Dalit Panthers of India and the Puthiya Tamizhagam) were passing disparaging remarks on the party, said Dr. Ramadoss.

Therefore, the PMK was circumspect about holding talks with Mr Karunanidhi at this point of time; moreover, the views of the partymen were yet to be sought. However, the general body had already approved the PMK rejoining the NDA at the Centre.

When his attention was drawn to the statement made by the Union Minister, Mr. M. Venkaiah Naidu, that the PMK was ``in the process'' of coming back into the NDA fold, Dr. Ramadoss categorically said ``the process was over.'' This became evident when news agencies put out a report (the day after he met the Prime Minister, Mr. A.B. Vajpayee) that the PMK had joined the NDA.

Subsequently, he got an invitation for attending an emergency meeting of the NDA, but as he was preoccupied with other engagements at Dharapuram, he had deputed the general secretary and former Union Minister, Mr. Ponnusamy.

Asked about the Supreme Court pronouncement that convicted persons should not hold public office, Dr. Ramadoss said this would eminently apply in the case of Ms. Jayalalithaa. It indicated that one could soon expect a ``good verdict'' from the Supreme Court on whether she should continue as Chief Minister or not.

To a question on the status of the PMK in Tamil Nadu, Dr. Ramadoss said it would function as constructive opposition, and that its relationship with other opposition parties would be issue-based. On local bodies elections, he said the partymen wanted to go it alone. Once the poll schedule was announced, appropriate decision would be taken.

Referring to the ``refusal of the Tamil Nadu Government to transfer police officers'', Dr. Ramadoss said it must concede the demand of the Centre. Had the State Government initiated appropriate legal action against those officers involved in the Karunanidhi arrest episode, the situation would not have come to such a pass.

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