Infighting in the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) might gnaw at the central ruling alliance’s strength in the winter session of parliament slated to begin in a month. Leader of the DMK parliamentary party, TR Baalu, and union minister of state for finance and DMK leader SS Palanimanickam are reportedly readying their camps to spar in the winter session over a new railway line to Thanjavur.

DMK MPs are reported to have decided to complain to party chief K Karunanidhi against Baalu’s alleged dictatorial behaviour as the chairman of the railway standing committee, announcing many projects without the approvals from the union railway ministry. The spat with Palanimanickam has to do with a similar announcement of a new railway line in the junior minister’s parliamentary constituency, Thanjavur, which also happens to be Baalu’s son, T R Raaja’s constituency in the Tamil Nadu assembly.

Palanimanickam is learnt to have lodged a formal complaint with the DMK boss.

Party insiders have revealed that each of them is now openly talking of his strategy to take on the other. However, with a larger backing for Palanimanickam, party sources say a revolt against Baalu is imminent. This could complicate floor management for the government.

The divide could be taxing for the Congress-led government in the event of a trust vote. There may be abstentions and boycott by one camp or the other. DMK is a crucial ally for the government at the moment as it has been reduced to a minority in the Lok Sabha.