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PMK will continue support even if AIADMK pulls out

Pattali Makkal Katchi founder leader Dr S Ramadoss today reiterated that his party would support the A B Vajpayee governmment even if the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazagham withdrew support to it.

Dr Ramadoss told the media after a meeting of the party executive that there was no alternative to the Bharatiya Janata Party-led government and it should be allowed to rule the country for five years.

He said he had met AIADMK supremo J Jayalalitha after the front meeting authorised her on August 11 to take a decision on continuing support to the Vajpayee government and urged her not to withdraw support.

Dr Ramadoss said Jayalalitha had agreed to consider the issue after consulting her party colleagues.

He said the Congress which ruled the country for about 45 years was responsible for the present plight of the nation and the alliance partners should not fall a prey to the 'machinations' of that party.

The Congress was not in a position to form an alternative government and it was only bent upon forcing a mid-term poll, he added.

Dr Ramadoss also announced the party's decision not to attend the rally organised by the Marumalarchi DMK on September 15, to be attended by Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Home Minister Lal Kisshinchand Advani, in connection with the birth anniversary of DMK founder C N Annadurai.

Both the MDMK and the PMK are in the AIADMK-led front in Tamil Nadu, which shares power with the BJP at the Centre.

Significantly, when the prime minister participates in the MDMK rally in Madras, AIADMK supremo J Jayalalitha will be away in Tiruchirapalli, participating in a public meeting organised by her party the same day.

The PMK decision is seen as an attempt to keep both Jayalalitha and Vajpayee happy. The party will attend the airport reception to Vajpayee.

UNI

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