Trouble for UPA as PMK closes in on deal with Jaya

CHENNAI/ NEW DELHI: After the failure of Congress's last-minute efforts to hold back PMK in the UPA corral, the party was close to inking a deal
with AIADMK. If PMK does make the crossover, it will be a significant shot in the arm for AIADMK chief J Jayalalitha and a blow to Congress.

A meeting between home minister P Chidamabaram and PMK leader's son Anbumani Ramadoss failed to narrow differences and Congress appears reconciled to the party leaving the UPA fold.

An indicator that the Tamil Nadu alliance was near breaking-point came with PMK's maverick leader S Ramadoss responding angrily to DMK chief M Karunanidhi's criticism that his concern for Sri Lankan Tamils was only skin deep. "Karunanidhi has reached a stage of extreme desperation and anger," said Ramadoss, pointedly underlining that Congress was DMK's only ally.

The signing ceremony is expected to unfold at Jayalalitha's Poes Garden residence on Thursday after a meeting of the PMK's general council. The PMK meeting is expected to severe ties with UPA with a "heavy heart" and Ramadoss will meet Jayalalitha thereafter. At least that was the script being considered on Wednesday evening.

Karunanidhi seems to have been running out of patience with Ramadoss whom he criticised on Tuesday for raising the Sri Lankan issue in an opportunistic manner. He said "certain leaders" had traded their concerns over events in Mullaithivu and Killinochchi for bargaining for constituencies in the state. If Ramadoss does keep his date with Amma, he will have rejoined an AIADMK-led alliance after eight years.

If Vijayakanth's DMDK remains unattached as the star has till now indicated, the scales could be tilting in favour of AIADMK. Vijayakanth is kicking off a 40-day campaign tour from Kanyakumari on Thursday. With no wave detected so far, alliances may be a key factor and Ramadoss does command a following in northern districts that have a significant Vanniyar population. It is understood that he has bargained for seven Lok Sabha seats and one Rajya Sabha berth.

Source.