Maran called 'Sakuni', DMK-TMC ties run into rough weather

The relationship between the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and its electoral ally, the Tamil Maanila Congress, appears to have been soured with leaders of both parties indulging in a "war of words".

DMK treasurer and TN Power Minister Arcot N Veeraswamy, a confidant of Chief Minister M Karunanidhi, in a statement in Madras on Wednesday, said he had told TMC president G K Moopanar that attacks on individuals on the pretext of pointing out the government's mistakes had saddened party cadres.

He was referring to a statement by S Balakrishnan, TMC leader and leader of the Opposition in the state assembly, comparing Union Industry Minister and DMK leader Murasoli Maran to Sakuni, the Kauravas's wicked uncle.

Moopanar had said earlier that the public in Tamil Nadu expected the TMC to point out the deficiencies in the administration and function as a constructive Opposition, failing which there would be a vacuum which would be filled by "enemy parties".

The chief minister had said remarks such as those attributed to Balakrishnan could be made not by a constructive Opposition, but an enemy party. If lapses were pointed out, Karunanidhi would make every effort to correct them, Veeraswamy said .

The relationship between the two parties soured during the selection of the United Front candidate for the prime ministership. Instead of supporting Moopanar's candidature, TMC leaders alleged that the DMK had sabotaged his chances.

Some TMC leaders had then asked the party to snap its ties with the DMK. But Moopanar kept his cool and told TMC cadres that as far as he was concerned the issue of prime ministership was a closed chapter.

UNI

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