Karunanidhi to discuss Sri lankan imbroglio with PM, Sonia

Is also likely to discuss son and chemical and fertilisers minister Alagiri's continued absence at Parl

GN Bureau | May 3, 2010



DMK chief and Tamil Nadu chief minister M Karunanidhi is likely to discuss the Sri Lankan Tamils' political settlement issue with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress president Sonia Gandhi during his Delhi visit, party sources said.

The chief minister arrived here on Sunday to attend a Planning Commission meeting slated for Monday.

"Kalaignar is here to attend the Planning Commission meeting on Tamil Nadu's plan allocation. Whenever he comes Delhi, he meets the Congress president and the prime minister," said TKS Elangovan, a party MP.

Asked whether the chief minister would raise the Sri Lankan Tamil's political settlement issue when he meets the prime minister and the Congress president, Elangovan said: "He may raise the issue as the party's recent general council had called upon the central government to ensure that Sri Lanka evolves a political solution to the Tamils issue."

Asked if Karunanidhi would discuss the row over telecom minister A Raja, who is also the DMK's dalit face, on the 2G spectrum allocation, he said: "That's not an issue at all." The opposition is demanding the resignation of Raja on the issue.

However, the continued absence from parliament of Karunanidhi's son and chemicals and fertilisers minister M K Alagiri is likely to feature in his meeting with Manmohan Singh and Sonia Gandhi.

Alagiri's absence during the question hour had created a ruckus in both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha last week.  During his stay, Karunanidhi is to also attend a private function - inauguration of the Periyar Centre in south Delhi, sources said.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi on Sunday spent half an hour with his son and central minister M K Alagiri at the latter's official residence in New Delhi. This would end speculation of a quarrel within the family over the succession issue.

Karunandni is in Delhi and insiders say his visit is primarily to advance the state assembly elections from May 2011 to November 2010. He also intends to counter the negative campaign unleashed against telecom minister A Raja on the 2G spectrum corruption.

The 86-year-old leader is to likely to tell the UPA leadership that there should not any vindictive campaigns against any allies. His Delhi visit will also ensure to prevent AIADMK's chances of forging an alliance with the Congress.

Thus, all eyes are on Karunanidhi's meeting with Sonia Gandhi. Dayanidhi Maran will be there  when they discuss the future of the DMK-Congress alliance.
 

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