May 16 – The Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) which is a constituent of the NDA in Tamil Nadu says it wants to be accomodated in the new govt headed by Narendra Modi at the Centre. The PMK candidate Dr.Anbumani Ramadoss is leading over 10,000 votes at Dharmapuri Lok Sabha constituency.
While the AIADMK is sweeping in the Tamil Nadu elections by leading in 37 seats out of the total 39, the NDA has reasons to smile because of its candidates leading in two seats. While the Tamil Nadu BJP president Pon Radhakrishnan in the Kanniyakumari constituency, the PMK is leading in Dharmapuri.
The PMK candidate is the prince in waiting in the party with the party founder and senior Ramadoss keeping a low profile for quite some time. Infact party insiders said that senior Ramadoss was strongly against a tie up with the BJP, but son’s will prevailed with the backing of all the women members of the family.
On Friday after trends were availble and it was evident that Anbumani Ramadoss was going to win the electins his colleagues in the party started saying that PMK should be accomodated in the cabinet.
“The BJP has got enough seats to form on its own. But it should consider giving representation to all those in the NDA. It’s up to the BJP to decide on this, but our view is to give an inclusive character and all those in the NDA must be accomodated in the govt formation” said K.Baalu, a PMK advocate and spokesperson. Though he did not eleborate and mentioned Anbumani’s name the party’s wish was obvious.
“The PMK will defenitely press for a ministerial berth. We have every right to do that. When the BJP is considered as an outcast and untouchable in the state, it is the joining of our party which gave a shape to the NDA”, says R.Kasi, a long time PMK worker from Chennai.
-INDIA TODAY
