NEW DELHI, NOV 11: All parties within the United Front (UF) today rallied behind the Dravida Munnetra Kazagham (DMK) in an attempt to thwart the Congress gameplan of cornering the ruling coalition with the Jain Commission report.

On a day that saw hardening of the Congress stand on the issue, the UF constituents said they would oppose tooth and nail any attempt made by the Congress to isolate the southern party. The Jain Commission, which probed the conspiracy behind Rajiv Gandhi's assassination, has indicted DMK leaders and its chief M Karunanidhi.

Even within the UF, it fell upon the regional components, who constitute what is popularly known as the Federal Front, to close ranks among themselves. ``We'll not allow the Government to succumb to the pressure being exerted by the Congress,'' said a senior AGP leader, adding, ``We are solidly behind the DMK.'' His sentiments were shared by a Telugu Desam Party MP. ``First of all, we don't think the Congress will go to the extent of seeking the DMK's ouster from the ruling coalition. Even if it does, we'll ensure that the Government doesn't oblige them,'' he observed. The reaction of the regional parties is understandable. Engaged as they are in direct electoral fights with the Congress in their respective states, they view the Congress Party's uncompromising tone with suspicion. Any attempt to isolate the DMK will only embolden the Congress.

``In the recent past, the party has asked for the dismissal of the Assam and Tripura Governments for their alleged failure to tackle the law and order situation in their respective states,'' a Union Minister remarked.

He also did not foresee the emergence of any strain in the DMK-Tamil Manila Congress relationship because of the revelations made in the Jain Commission report. ``After all, Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram's role has also been questioned by the interim report,'' he added.

Leaders of the Left Front also lashed out at the Congress for trying to browbeat the UF on the matter. According to CPI secretary D Raja, it was not proper of the Congress leaders to make such provocative statements when Home Minister Indrajit Gupta had already declared that the interim report would be tabled in the Parliament.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.