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For, in 2004, almost to the day, the DMK, with 16 MPs — it has now 18 — enacted the same drama. The script had a little twist then: the party had actually joined the government before raising the banner of revolt!
The DMK got its way in 2004 but this time, with the Congress tally at 206 — over 40% higher than that in 2004 — and the party having secured the support of 304 (minus the DMK), the DMK may not have much elbow room as it armtwists the Congress.
On May 23, 2004, a day after the first UPA government was sworn in — with seven DMK MPs taking oath along with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh — Karunanidhi ordered his party’s ministers to boycott their offices until the DMK got more ministries.
He even accused the Congress of backstabbing his party. “What was agreed upon after eight days of consultation was not respected,” he claimed, blaming a “coterie” around Congress president Sonia Gandhi for the situation.
The DMK action was seen as blackmail to get more portfolios, but, more importantly, one that could give it authority to settle scores with AIADMK chief and bitter foe J Jayalalithaa.
It wanted to bring the Revenue Department under the charge of Minister of State for Commerce S Palanimanickam, handing him the authority to get Income Tax cases against Jaya and her close confidant Sasikala speeded up.
It also wanted Surface Transport Minister T R Baalu to be given charge of Shipping and Highways and shifting Palanimanickam from Commerce and Industry to Finance. The Congress’s response? Within 24 hours, the DMK got its wishlist.
In the process, TRS chief K Chandrasekhar Rao, who had been given Shipping, had to relinquish his portfolio.
This came after phones calls between Manmohan Singh and Karunanidhi and two rounds of talks between Sonia Gandhi and Karunanidhi’s nephew Dayanidhi Maran.
Promptly, the DMK ministers, who had refused to assume office, joined the next day. Incidentally, that was the DMK supremo’s second flip-flop in less than 10 days. On May 15, 2004, Karunanidhi had said his party would watch the approach of the government for a “reasonable time” before taking a decision on joining the ministry.
In the end, it didn’t matter much as it took the party just four days — May 19, 2004 to be precise — to make up its mind to join the government.
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u people dont know the DMK and its followers.DMK has done a lot to people of tamilnadu for the last five years.can u show the state provided more employment to youths than TN?can u show me the state implemented more welfare schmes than that of DMK Govt in TN?u are blindly following people like IBNCNN,HINDU and other one side supported medias.can any body of u showing me the better administrator than Dr karunanidhi in india.
These scoundrels under the umbrella of DMK are out to loot the nation's wealth in name of governance. We have a Rahul Gandhi who declines offer of cabinet berth, it's his for asking, and then there are these greedy enemies the nationfrom the Karunanidhi family. The nation bows to the service of the Gandhi family.
The PM and Sonia should not yield to empty threats of Karuna. He can very well support from outside as Congress is doing in TN.He can not wag his tail too much as his minority ministry at TN is at the mercy of Cong. suuport. At least the nation will be saved from swindlers like rasa and balu.Spectrum scandal has cost the exchequer thousands of crores. balu has enriched his family business at centres cost. Enough is enough. Dear PM Please dont yield to undue blackmail of karuna. You have proved to be strong PM and maintain the image,for the sake of welfare of our nation.
Congress must demand 50% Ministership and Deputy Cheif Minister Post in Tamilnadu
The nature of DMK is very much known and Congress should not have gone with them at the elections. Having gone with them, there is no alternative. At least now they should not give them room for negotiations and if they do not accept the proposal, let them go on their way.
Since the ruling party is not dependent on DMK for survival and it is the prerogative of PM to choose his cabinet, the govt. in themaking should not give in to such blackmail by the allies. Let those be chosen who can deliver and govern better irrespective of the party they belong to. Remember Ramadoss of PMK who brought AIIMS to a grinding halt due to his day to day interferene? Or for that matter, Mamta bannerji who delyaed Delhi Metro's plans by six months by insisting on broad gauge rather than internationally accepted standard guage? Such power-hungary politicians liabilities be better dispensed with.
Karunanidhi is very well aware the allocation of portfolio is prerogative of Prime Minister.Congress has the right to allocate the portfolio to the trust ally who has given lot of controversy during election time and also the time to come on account of spectrum allocation by A raja and Sethusamudram project by T R Balu.Now he want to bring in the other family members also to share the wealth of the country depriving common man who is shouldering the financial burden.Congress has to give important agenda of bring down the Price Rise even the inflation is under control under P Chidambaram's statement common man is suffering on account of price rise on essential commodities which mind boggling for which no has any time to look into but they want spend more time on Srilankan issue instead of 26/11.Our fate is in the hands of these corrupt politicians who are winning with the money power and muscle power.Days are not far off to put an end to this anarchy.
Everyone knows Mr.Karunanidhi give preference to his family only.He had not gave Ministership to Congress in Tamilnadu Government. But now is Greedy.Now he is creating the same Drama like 2004, which is not acceptable.Further asusual the people of Tamilnadu voted Congress Aliance for a stable government in Center because Ms.Jayalitha not told who is Prime Minister Next. Lot malpractices also done by DMK in voting,but lost 12 seats (Virudhunagar
Karunanidhi wants his rowdy son Alagiri and stephne wife's daughter kanimolihi who looks like our servant maid and greedy D maran all his family members as ministers. His chamcha Balu is a very corrupt guy and never did his job as a minister. A raja is just a kid in MK's hands. It is a shame for those who voted for these filthy ones. What about members in DMK not attached to M karunanidhis family? They are just goats in a flok. Shame and i feel DMK should be rooted out of power. They can't get kaveri or hogenegal water even though it is congress at center and BJP at karnataka.
Karunanidhi is being unfairly accused of pushing for his immediate family when he has asked berths for only two of his children and a grand nephew. He has not asked for ministerial berths for his nunmerous wives and their children too. Lack of experience ? In what ? Shamelessness ? Come on Manmohan Singh - stand up and tell the world that you are not a nikamma PM as advani says.
Its clearly well known that congress will not worry if DMK accepts or rejects its Berth, even congress will not needed their support from out side, because they have enough seats now to stand strongly, "Its good lesson For MK and DMK and even all the dravidian Partys in Tamilnadu" Last time when Congress want to stand full 5 years they need DMK's help who played a vital role of bagging 40 seats, Congress make use of them clearly, now they dont need DMK support, There is one true which all people as to accept without the ally of DMK Congress would not got even a single seat in TN, Directly DMK has 18 seats but indirectly they have 28 seats, all these 28 because of DMK, even Soniaji and Man mohan ji cant say no on this comment,we have to be clear on one, who ever can rule we have to be sure that they did something for the state and the nation or not, it might be the son or doughter, why do we care, can you show a single state without family politics in any party, then why to blame DMK.
Becuase of people like you who blindly justify all wrongs, crooks like Karunanidhi and Jaya are having a field day in Tamil Nadu.
Go and see the electoral statistics. Congress's vote share is more than that of DMK and AIDMK. They are flexing muscle because the ground realities have changed. DMK is a rubbish party anyway..get rid of them!!
Congress has not refused to give births.They want DMK in government but they just wanted a clean cabinet and the inefficient people (read ballu who was missing during transport strike and Raja - Spectrum allocation) to be left out of cabinate
Really can't understand what people mean by saying good performers? Tainted ministers, one who openly admitted he favoured his family members in getting gas allocations, unable to prevent truckers strike and another one got caught in the biggest scam (spectrum); i don't think all these fall under good performance category. Its high time theses greedy politicians be kept where they belong to. Indian government is not a family business for all first times to go gaga over ministerial berths. They need to take a cue from Sonia and Rahul who have proved modest inspite huge victory. PM made the right decision to not bow to blackmail politics and should be firm on hos stand. Remember people verdict has been given for Congress. No reason in talking about 0/40 here. DMK wouldn't have got anything if Congress wan't on their side. For that fact, DMK ditched congress badly in 2006 after hung verdict in TN. So you reap what you Sow!!
DMK spent 50-60crores just in madurai alone. Azagiri cannot even communicate properly.. not sure if he understands english and for sure cannot speak english.. and may not even have a degree. Raja has pathetically failed, with corruption in spectrum. No Seats to DMK will be the best... They are blackmailing... and showing their true colors... If Congress gives seats.. then next time karunanidhi will go there if he is alive.. with his whole family... including his wives and grand children bargaining posts for everyone...
It is high time ministries allocate funds to all states proportionately else this country is sure to disintegrate.Equitable benefits to all states in railways,industries,power is required. Unfortunately TN MP's divert all national resources to their own state. I am very happy that they are out.
Congress is not worried about the state development or the ministers who served well in last session of Government. All that they want is Power. Be it ally or Congressmen. Ministers for Tamilnadu, including Baalu, Dayanidhi, Raja, Velu, Chidambaram, Lallu everyone did well for the country. In fact dayanidhi got best Minister award during his tenure. Why not Congress give them one more chance and see to that they do good to the country. Now Mr. Karunanidhi would have realised that Congress wants only power. and will change his statement back to "Vadakku Vazhgiradhu , Therkku Theigirathu" (North is flourishing and South diminishing) from what he stated during election campaign "Vadakku Vazhangugirathu, Therkku Therugirathu" (North is giving and South is nourishing).All that congress wants to be in Power, now that they got enough (that too in Tamilnadu because of DMK amd Vidudhalai Chiruthaigal, else they would have got 0/40), they will not look to south.
Please understand that because of performance (non) and corruption only MMS is not giving them the portfolios.
the greediness of DMK is beyond imagination. congress should not give in and get a tainted name once again. high time corruption is reduced if not totally controlled
The ministers who worked in the last cabinet served well. Because of he ministers Congress won in majority seats in addition to the campaigning made by Mrs. Sonia ji and Mr.Ragul Ji. Among the srilnakan issues, which were not sorted out by central Government, DMK was instrumental to back 28 seats as pre poll alliance of congress. When Congress was almost out in the state due to Dravidian party and the infighting of congress leaders, due to the DMK alliance congress could able to muster good number of seats in the 2004 and 2009.And the ministers who were serving from south could serve very well. Inducting ministers from DMK sure will help the country. The ministers from Tamil Nadu who served in the previous Government could prove their metal and served the nation in a wonderful manner. In this situation DMK deserve more ministrial bearth. DMK is a friend of Congress ever not like other parties in the norh which explore the situation as ther own benifits. Let DMK jion in the cabinet
Mrs.RAJIV GANDHI - she is not only brave has enough bold to face the issue in very descent manner.
I will suggest a simple formula. As we selected the less evil(?) in the election, this can be a formula that is less evil. DMK would have spent 50 to 100 crores in the election. All DMK wants is to earn 100(0) folds. So give them 5000 crores and ask them not to press for cabinet. This way, at least the development work would not be hampered by these greedy family and its members. I am wondering how the Congress can say 'yes' to Azhagiri while refusing the post to Balu and Raja siting non performance and corruption as reason. Do they think Mr.Azhagiri will be a cleaner and more efficient minister? Either they are misinformed or acting as if they are not aware. Hope the PM does not compromise on his very good stand.
In 2004 the situation was entirely different the Congress was at the mercy of D.M.K but not so in 2009 . Mr Karunanidi by tommorrow will declare that considering the unity and stability of our country D.M.K will accept what ever is given by the congress to keep the communal forces away Wait and see in two days it will happen . D.M.K will join the ministry with what ever they get no other options left for them.
DMK has shown its real colours by making it clear that it can not leave the fruits of power be it State or Centre. State is already in its jaw it also wants thrust members of Karuna's family/extended family on Manmohan Singh
Congress need to be firm this time and should not bow down to DMK. If they do that, the people of TN will teach the real lesson to DMK in future elections. To aspire in one thing, to demand is another but to blackmail is an extreme.
if congress can take a bold step in dumping DMK for good then only will these guys realise.
Before allotting portfolios, their past performances have to be looked into deeply in different sectors, both Central and State,and analysed to find out that it was without tarnish, and the country's money spent genuinely for the nation and nothing earned for self-gain, that proper open accounts and accountability were maintained, and that the final benefits reached the common man and helped revival of sectors and productivity gain, and that there was no hidden agenda.