New Delhi, May 2: DMK supremo and Tamil Nadu chief minister M. Karunanidhi, a key UPA ally, arrived here Sunday for the first time since the UPA-2 government took office last May last year. He gave a clear indication that telecom minister A. Raja would stay on in his post, as he virtually rejected Opposition demands for the minister’s resignation following the 2G spectrum allocation controversy.
The chief minister, who has a scheduled state plan finalisation meeting on Monday with Planning Commission deputy chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia, will also call on PM Manmohan Singh and Congress president Sonia Gandhi the same day.
“I have not come here with any good news to be conveyed to you people,” Mr Karunanidhi said sarcastically in Tamil when asked to comment on the demands for Mr Raja’s resignation on the spectrum issue. However, he did not give a clear reply when asked if the matter would figure in his conversations with the Prime Minister and the Congress president.
Mr Karunanidhi also called on President Pratibha Patil on Sunday and invited her to attend the opening of the 9th World Tamil Conference in Coimbatore in June. This is his first visit to New Delhi after he left the national capital in a huff last May, saying the Congress’ formula on Cabinet berths was not acceptable. Six days later, however, seven DMK ministers joined the government after the two parties resolved their differences.
When asked about the continued absence from Parliament of his son, Union chemicals and fertilisers minister M.K. Alagiri, Mr Karunanidhi only said: “You ask him.” When pressed on the matter, the DMK chief shot back: “Let him first give his opinion. Then I will give mine.”
DMK sources said he is expected to raise the issue of early approval by Parliament of the TN Assembly’s resolution on reviving the Legislative Council in the state during his meetings with Dr Singh and Mrs Gandhi. A resolution has to be passed in both Houses of Parliament with a two-thirds majority. Gover-nment sources indicated that Parliament might take it up next week.
Age Correspondent