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PMK not a destabilising force like AIADMK, says Ramadoss

By Our Special Correspondent

CHENNAI May 8. The PMK leader S. Ramadoss, today declared that his party would remain a "constructive partner" in the National Democratic Alliance, and never a "destructive partner", like the AIADMK was.

Responding to the Chief Minister's remarks in the Assembly that Dr. Ramadoss should camp in the capital to get excise duty concessions for the textile sector, the PMK leader said he suggested that Ms. Jayalalithaa proceed to Delhi and meet the Prime Minister to get Cauvery water and "return successful". However she "asked him to stop advising" her.

"I am not surprised that my remark irritated the Chief Minister, who even boycotted the Prime Minister's function in Chennai. But the State's welfare is more important than that of an individual."

However, she brought up a new issue (on getting excise duty concession for looms) and demanded to know whether the PMK would leave the NDA, if it failed in its attempt, Dr. Ramadoss said. The PMK would not be a destabilising force like the AIADMK was, but it would not also stop raising its voice for the State's legitimate demands.

Noting that the PMK had indeed raised its voice on behalf of the State on issues such as the Salem Steel privatisation, the Sethusamudram project or disinvestment, and in getting more railway projects, he said it had not failed to take up the Cauvery issue with the Prime Minister and would not hesitate to take up any issue, including the excise duty concessions.

But this did not mean, the party should walk out of the alliance or destabilise the Government. "We will not attempt to follow the AIADMK in bringing down a government," Dr. Ramadoss asserted and said such open challenges made by the Chief Minister would not deter the PMK. If the AIADMK Government was prepared to secure the State's welfare, the PMK would also support it, he added.

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