A team of PMK MLAs, led by their leader G.K. Mani, will meet Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi on Tuesday to discuss further the decision of the DMK's high-level implementation committee to include the PMK as an ally but to deny it a Rajya Sabha seat.
The decision was taken at the executive meeting of the PMK held at Thailapuram on Monday.
Talking to reporters after the marathon executive committee session, Mr. Mani said the meeting discussed various view points arising out of the DMK's decision.
When asked about the kind of brief the MLA delegation would carry, Mr. Mani said that after ascertaining the views of Mr. Karunanidhi the delegation would convey the message to PMK founder S. Ramadoss.
Mr. Mani further said that the executive committee had fully authorised Dr. Ramadoss to take a decision based on the outcome of the talks. A party source said the Rajya Sabha seat was the only item on the agenda for discussions at the executive committee meeting.
Though various points of opinion were expressed by the party leaders and that of the Vanniyar Sangam, it was a unanimous decision to convey the PMK's stand to the Chief Minister. The delegation would bring to the notice of Mr. Karunanidhi that he had promised a Rajya Sabha seat to the PMK, both in 2006 and 2008, after the expiry of the tenure of Anbumani Ramadoss, the source added.
The executive committee discussed in detail the letters sent by Dr. Ramadoss to Mr. Karunanidhi seeking a Rajya Sabha seat. After going through the letter the Chief Minister had suggested a few changes, including the insertion of a promise that the PMK would be a part of the alliance. The PMK leadership, accordingly, submitted another letter agreeing to be part of the alliance.
“So we were under the impression that we are getting a seat. But we were disappointed when we were told that we should wait till the 2011 Assembly election is over,” a senior leader said.
The PMK leaders also felt that the conditional approach of the DMK was a litmus test for the PMK to prove its loyalty till 2011 Assembly elections.
Former Union Ministers E. Ponnusamy, R. Velu and Anbumani Ramadoss, MLAs, Vanniyar Sangam president K.Guru and others participated in the meeting.
