Chief Minister and DMK president M. Karunanidhi, during a meeting with PMK president G.K. Mani on Monday, underscored the importance of the two parties working together in the context of the approaching elections to the State Assembly.
Mr. Mani called on Mr. Karunanidhi with a few requests, including the need for conducting caste enumeration in the State. The two leaders discussed the political situation and Mr. Karunanidhi conveyed to Mr. Mani that the DMK was keen to have the PMK in its fold.
“We need each other,” the Chief Minister is reported to have told Mr. Mani.
Though PMK founder S. Ramadoss has been maintaining that a decision on an alliance will be taken in January or February next year, the two parties have been moving closer for some time now.
Even on October 14 when Dr. Ramadoss met him at the Secretariat, the Chief Minister had noted that the two parties should come together.
When Dr. Ramadoss inquired about his health the Chief Minister had said, “Naan udampai paarthukirayen, neenka uravai paarthu kollungal. (I will take care of my health and you take care of our relationship)”
On Monday, besides caste enumeration, Mr. Mani sought permission to start a law college by the Vanniyar Educational Trust.
He told the Chief Minister that even after the Madras High Court had quashed the order of the State Law Secretary refusing no objection certificate (NOC) to start a private law college, Saraswathi Law College, at Tindivanam, officials were yet to grant permission for it.
The Chief Minister agreed to consider positively the PMK demand for starting the law college.
Asked about the meeting, Mr. Mani told reporters that he had brought to the attention of the Chief Minister the poor representation of Vanniyars in the judiciary, especially in the High Court.
The Chief Minister explained that though appointment of Judges was decided by the Supreme Court and the Central government, the State government would certainly convey the point raised by the PMK.
