The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam will continue in the Congress-led UPA at the Centre with a feeling of bitterness as it does not want to create a crisis for the government on the eve of the Presidential election, party president M. Karunanidhi said on Wednesday.
Mr. Karunanidhi, who earlier in the day led a demonstration against the hike in petrol price near the State Guest House here, clarified his position during interaction with reporters after a section of the media reported him as issuing, during his address at the demonstration, a warning to the Centre that the DMK would not hesitate to leave the alliance if it was under compulsion to compromise on its principles.
Addressing DMK members during the demonstration, Mr. Karunanidhi said that the party, in the past, whether it was part of the Janata Dal-led National Front government or the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), had walked out of coalition to uphold its principles.
Later, describing the media reports as “mischievous”, Mr. Karunanidhi told reporters that he had only talked about what had happened in the past and did not make any comment on leaving the UPA.
“You cannot place the present government on a par with the governments in the past. It always takes into consideration our views and respects protest. It is the government in Tamil Nadu that does not respect others.”
Mr. Karunanidhi said he could not put any condition, “as desired by the media,” as the exit of the DMK from the Centre might pave way for a retrograde and communal rule. “We have to keep in mind the issues. But the Centre also should not create troubles for the people. I have also received information that the Prime Minister is considering a rollback in deference to people's protests. I will be happy if it leads to positive developments.”
Asked whether, as a constituent of the UPA, he had received any information about rollback, Mr. Karunanidhi said that it was only an assumption. “I expect good news from the Centre.”
To a question on the protests organised by his party across the State in the morning, he said that it was against the hike in petrol price and not against the Centre.
Earlier while he was addressing the demonstration in Chennai, DMK cadres were heard shouting, “Come out of Congress alliance.” Mr. Karunanidhi paused for a few seconds till the crowd vent its anger on the Congress before resuming his speech.
He said it was the responsibility of the Centre to ensure that the DMK was allowed to retain its core principles. Recalling the reported remarks of Union Defence Minister A.K. Antony against the petrol price, Mr. Karunanidhi said even if the Prime Minister had disregarded the views of others, he could not afford to ignore the voice of his Cabinet colleague.
Urging the Centre to roll back the hike in petrol price and the State government to bring down the increase in milk price, electricity tariff and bus fare, he threatened to launch a series of agitations if his demand was not met with a positive response.
Keywords: Petrol price hike, DMK protest, Karunanidhi statement
1. MK - Successfully turned the irritation of ppl from the central congress to DMK by his action
2. Is there any reason to do this insincere thing. Ppl have not even forgot the fast that he did for SL tamils. Just recently he told will not accept FDI in retail and next day changed statement.
3. JJ was sitting quietly most of the time in Kodanadu and only coming out once in a while for giving statement and she is voted back to power.
There is no need for MK to give statement/stunt everyday. On top of all this he is trying divisive caste politics as well. He started with vanniar-MBC comment,comments against brahmins, indirect mischeivous Thevar/SC trouble creation (comparing Ravanan's bail with Raja's.. He did something similar during his earlier "miruga jaathi" comment.. comparing panthers(SC) and lions(Thevar) party) etc. Soon I am expecting him to give religious comment(pending for quite some time) at some festival. MK needs to change his approach
Mr. Karunanidhi will not pull out of UPA so as to preent communal forces from taking over. Pray.kindly tell me what is the foundation of the Dravidian parties ? If it is not communalism, what else is it? And the DMK is secular! What a pity!
UPA might have asked Mr.Karunanidhi to check out the situation of Mr.JaganMohan Reddy for pulling out of congress and threatening it existence in AP. DMK has earned a lot of money using the illegal means or quid pro quo during the power. All are aware of 2G-Scam and family run TV channels. Mr.Raja and Ms.Kanimozhi were already arrested and came out on bail. If DMK threatens to pull out, they know what happens next. UPA has their weapon in the form of CBI.
Our country is not democratic, it is monarchy ( Thanks to Ms.Soniagandhi). Every one in the government is corrupt and nobody can pull out or talk against it.
All political drama being staged; neither DMK of Karunanidhi nor TMC of Mamta will "leave" the UPA, as they get lot of benefits by hidden ways; ONLY talk big and try to get PUBLIC support; sad none of our present day leaders are sincere or loyal to prinicples; try to play double game to retain power and remain "authoritative" ! Very sad trend witnessed; only GOd can save us from these folks !
The DMK is an important component of the UPA government at the Centre as much as the TMC of Mamata Banerjee.The UPA will have to suffer if any of these constituents pull out of the Alliance.But no Congress is in no mood of despondency.When Mulayam Singh Yadav told that his MPs,29 in number,will be happy to support the UPA from outside the Prime Minister said that it is a good sign and his government would like to have everyone by his side,including the Left.So he will be happy to know the latest reaction from DMK chief M.Karunanidhi who wishes to"hear good things from the Centre."The Congress is also successful in creating a good image abroad.
The Cartoon,'We will not leave UPA' explains every thing! It clearly depicts what will happen if DMK broke away from the alliance.
Another game plan by Mr.Karunanithi. Politicians always play cards based on the situation.
It is sad that the DMK party has to support and slap the Congress. It
has shamelessly been sleeping with any leadership in Delhi to make
enough funds for his family and throw some crumbs to the party workers
to keep their mouth open to shout Vazhga Vazhga to this man and his
family.
This person used to critize the Congress party for developing Dynastic
politics but look at him having created not only Dynastic politics but
Kith and Kin polity.
On the other hand you have JJ with her antics and Sisterhood polity.
Shameless Tamils can only vote for this two parties or the spineless
Tamilnadu branch of the Congress party. They could learn a lesson or
two from the neighboring sates and try to develop better democracies.
The Lion of Tamil Nadu has "meewed" once again!
this time your sun may be risen in the west my dear .somehow just be
there in power to keep yourself in the safe side.Mr Mastermind of 2G
scam is already in trouble so why keep SUN TV in dead areana.so this
time Mr. you are out of game better luck next time.
Beggars can't be choosers.The D.M.K apposes the U.P.A for what the majority of people oppose , but it still wants to extend its support to the U.P.A just to escape from the clutches of law for its nefarious activities. After all,it is only a third rated political party which can do anything and every thing to save Karunanithi & his family at move of his finger.
Mr Karunanidhi , I would like to remind you that the 50 percent of the so called "high petrol price" , is the taxes . If the huge lump of money looted by the DMK and Congress in these 10 years is recovered back to the excheuqer , we can have a tax heaven for another 5 years
This idiot has been fooling Tamil Nadu for years, yet people tend to believe in him. Kannadasan spoke years ago about the selfnishness of MK. Only when his family interests are threatened will he dust off old ideologies (anti-Brahmin, anti-Hindi, etc.) and make lofty speeches. No self-righteous Tamil will accept him as a leader of Tamils - may be jalras like Vairamuthu, Vali will but not the common man. Even this newspaper has been providing support to this man more for political reasons. God save the people of Tamil Nadu.
Old man will be in power to further dilute the already diluted 2G cases.He will continue till elections to stick to power and change loyalties at the time of elections.This is no secret.Politics for self interest.Bitter to be in cabinet only to better family interests
for 2-G scam you have played dalit card, but for petrol prices u do not have any card to play, just think on that. don't be childish always. people are changing.. hope you know the victory of last elections and that is due to damn idea of free color tv.....
Guess, this old man has lost his balance! Saying one thing in the morning and reversing in
the afternoon.
If he thinks media and people are fools, the loser is himself!!
Bitter feeling for what? Is that for his daugter's implication in 2G scam,where nothing,against to what Mr.karunanidi might wished came from the centre in support? These leaders are always opportunistic,and maintains double standards.
The Government strategically allowed the oil companies to hike petrol price by a hefty Rs.7.50 a liter, knowing full well that public would react badly. I expect that the government would, 'respecting' the sentiments of the public, ask the companies to reduce the price by a rupee or so. In addition, the oil companies created an artificial scarcity in the market so that the people's attention would be diverted on the availability itself rather than its price.
who is old monk and who is drunken monkey
both will do nothing but threatening us.
If MK threatens to withdraw from the UPA, UPA knows how and what to
threaten back with. Dear Mr. MK, catch some breath. You knew it, we knew
it. Nothing, is going to change until 2014 includes both State &
Central. Why don't you spent a lovely evening with your daughter, son,
grand children and great grand children? Instead of coming out in this
weather, Huh?
P.S: Lot of "Typos" from the publisher.
People are well aware of Karunanidhi's coalition dharma as well. Threaten to pull out if it threatens his family's money swindling machine or future election outcomes against DMK. This probably is a good chance for him to show he means business to the congress, otherwise 2014 lok sabha elections will turn blank for DMK and will be thrown out of political standing in Tamilnadu without a single MP seat for his party. Crocodile tears won't give you votes.
The DMK party has compromised its core principles when Mr.Karunanidhi became its chief.The only one agenda Mr.Karunanidhi has always in mind is the welfare of his family members.He expelled Mr.M.G.R. for the sake of his son Mr.M.K.Muthu.For the sake of his son Mr.Stalin,Mr.Vaiko was made to quit the party.For fulfilling the political ambition of his daughter Mrs.Kanimozhi several promonent leaders of the party were sidelined.
Mr.karunanidhi is planning switch over to another allaince before 2014 election.He did the same in 2004 and quit BJP govt just before polls.
Karunanidhi will back off and say 'it was not a threat and only a constructive criticism...anyway the media distorted my statement' (or) I have already handed over my resignation to party executive committee.
Karunanidhi has always threatened to leave the coalition only when his prinicipals(family/money) are threatened with legal action.
Mr.Karunanidhi threatening is just to satisfy people,they are not going to back out from UPA.
another drama started by old dmk citizen.who play main role in hindi against and sri lanka issue.not even open his mouth and during his period not consider anything about tamilnadu people.now he started drama like jayalalithaa petrol price hike
You emptied the exchequer's money. then how would new government gather amount to stay afloat. Simply raising slogans to showcase your visibility. you want to be in limelight that's what the real purpose..
Dear karuna beggars cant be chosers and at present DMK is a beggar so dont give hollow threats.
Long term plan and vision have been lacking. It is definitely so in the case petroleum prices. The price in our country is probably thrice (or more) of that in the neighbouring country Pak. The exorbitant could have been moderated to to arreast resultant inflation. We are always after crises management. Proactive steps were minimal if not nil. Lower consumption of fuel was not eencouraged enough. For example, road traffic has always been witnessing bottlenecks. Alternative transportation was given the least attention. Super highway planning during Vajpayee Prime Ministership was a step that made long journeys economical. Some similar steps including removing bottlenecks in road traffics and encouraging cycle travel etc must receive priority.
Well said Mr. G. Jagannathan. I especially love your last part of the comment "He will not,for he has got a lot of personal affairs to be got resolved with the centre's help.". Karunanidhi only cares for his family and not for the people of our country. All of his threats are just gimmicks. People wake up and get Karunanidhi quit public life by voting against DMK in the next Lok Saba elections.
The usual drama of raising price abnormally the rate and then whenever
there is some protest ,it will be reduced little to pacify the
anger.Similarly this time they increased petrol by Rs.7.5 /l now they
may reduce by one or two rupees . By this they will gain both people and
politicians .Poor people .They will suffer everything silently till the
next election. Vote is their weapon. . There is no strong opposition
all are divided .
Karunanidhi wants to gain the next election...and so issuing all these threatenings...
If DMK wants the petrol prices to be rolled back, how does it plan to pay for crude oil imports with a weaker rupee? With the currency nearly 20% weaker, bus fares and every other service is bound to become more expensive. Only a coherent fiscal and monetary policy irrespective of political differences can salvage the situation.
I wonder if there are any core ideologies in DMK. Being part of an alliance to earn power and money, and coming out of it when the job is done. This has been the ideology of DMK since its inception.
First, let Mr.Karunanidhi apologise for abusing majority sentiments on Ramsethu issue and for the 2G scam by his party and stop opposing punishment to Rajivji's killers- then he may be could say something on issues of public importance.
The government will follow the typical retail shop stunt, when they arbiteraly hike prices of goods and then offer a big discount still managing to retain a fair amount of increase in price.When the rollback happens, everybody claims victory, the allies ,opposition and the government still retains a substantial hike in price.
this is his usual stunt played by the Mr.karunanidhi and his team.
How long can they play this drama and cheat the people of this
country. Both the ruling and opposition parties are taking the people for a ride.
k.gopu
What if the DMK moves out, Mr. Mulayam has already taken the centre
stage in UPA which was pretty evident during the 3rd anniversary. This
govt. is destined to stay for another 2 years till 2014, and petrol
prices will soon touch Rs.100 mark
man, why don't you sit back at home, take a sip of tea and talk to your
grandchildren instead of coming out in the streets in such a miserable
condition, its time you give some other work to the guy who pushes your
wheelchair now and then
For how long can the tamils be cheated by these pseudo threats? It is a threat outside and a compromise within the parties/centre. Ultimately the consumers have to adapt to the hiked prices in order to reap the results of 'Freebies' play by the Government.
There may be many reasons for the DMK to pull out from the UPA.Fuel price hike may be one the one among them.Main issue that the DMK is to consider the restoration of dignity and honour to the Tamils in Sri lanka.Tamils there still living the hellish life there.When the British diplomat see the heavy presence of military in tamil areas,where as the Indian envoy in colombo is doing the job of Block Development officer there,overseeing the construction of houses for the replaced Tamils. It is high time that the DMK quit the UPA and get it prepared for the up coming Lok Sabha election mobilising mass support for the Tamils in Sri lanka Quitting the UPA is not enough a big and honest repentence and apology for the past betrayal of the Tamils are needed.
The Veteran Politician has been of late, trying to disassociate his party from the Congress and this is yet another tactic that follows his absence at the UPA's Third Anniversary Dinner and his recent refusal to rate the UPA's 3-year performance. Karunanidhi realises that the Congress alliance will definitely bite the dust in the 2015 Lok Sabha polls and is making efforts to leave the Congress camp to salvage a few MPs in 2015.
Pulling out is not a solution at all. All the parties supporting the UPA II should work out a common strategy keeping in to consideration, the economy in general and the present Forex reserves in particular, for the best interest of the Country. Incidentally, we have an Economist & Financial expert as our Prime Minister. Let us strengthen his hands.
Just he is threatening of pull out of UPA and not going to implement what he says. Government doesn’t heed to opposition called on nationwide strike on this issue and alliance parties called bandh in their respective state now it is tough to rollback or considering such ideas as people already adjusted. Certainly united efforts against rollback from all likeminded parties sure put pressure on government to consider it quickly and take the decision on cut down in hike price to ease some sort of burden on consumers.
The DMK's empty threat is time worn and hollow. It is comparable to the boy who cried wolf when there was none.Protest over petrol is his by product the main product being his usual broadside against Jayalalithaa. Let him fix and announce a deadline say a week or ten days to carry out his threat. Then one can take him seriously.He will not,for he has got a lot of personal affairs to be got resolved with the centre's help.
The issue of petrol price hike has become a burning issue or can be called the flash point within the United Progressive Alliance. Karunanidhi's statement comes as a veiled warning to the Dr Manmohan Singh Government to consider this issue with the required seriousness. If not taken seriously the consequences can prove detrimental.
Please Email the Editor