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'I told Vajpayee that Tamil Nadu was more important to me than the Centre'

The Pattali Makkal Katchi broke away from the National Democratic Alliance on Monday. PMK leader Dr S Ramdoss explained at his press conference in Chennai on Tuesday why he chose to abandon the DMK-led front in Tamil Nadu and cast his lot with the AIADMK alliance. This is what he said:

Big brother (Tamil Nadu Chief Minister) M Karunanidhi tried to destroy us at every step. Sister (AIADMK leader J Jayalalitha) extended a friendly hand of support. That is why we left the DMK and joined the AIADMK. In one line, I have told you why we have done what we did.

The fight between me and (Tamil Rajiv Congress leader) Vazhapadi (Ramamurthy) was caused by Karunanidhi. He could have solved that problem in one day. He could have easily made us compromise, but he did not. He just watched us fight with amusement. He entertained all of Ramamurthy's lies, accusations and complaints against me and wholeheartedly supported him against me.

At one stage the Dindivanam SP arranged a public meeting for Ramamurthy. There were 500 policemen on duty to protect him. He abused me for two whole hours. Karunanidhi supported that. I met Karunanidhi six times to sort out the Ramamurthy matter, but to no avail. Only once, last April, did the NDA constituents in Tamil Nadu meet. We spoke about our differences, but the chief minister did not take a decision. After that, the NDA has never ever met.

At the time of seat sharing itself, Karunanidhi delayed the dialogue for 10 days just to watch me and Ramamurthy fight. He could have decided the seat sharing himself and given us separate seats. But he gave me nine seats to share with the Rajiv Congress even though he knew we did not get along. After the 1999 general election, Ramamurthy announced he had lost because of me. Karunanidhi did not say anything to dispel his doubts.

Seventyone of my party members have been detained under the National Security Act. Seven families are on the streets. Six members are in jail under the Goondas Act. A 15-year-old boy was arrested under the NSA. I wrote to the chief minister to free them. In his reply he stated that even his party members are in jail. As my party members are in jail for petty offences, my workers got very agitated.

The working and central committees gave me the authority to leave the alliance. Not one member supported our staying with the DMK. We have decided to form an alliance with the AIADMK. Bar the DMK, we have no quarrel with other members of the NDA. No minor problems or differences in ideology.

Yesterday, I met the prime minister for 35 minutes. He was shocked to hear about our decision. I spent a lot of time explaining to him our position. We do not have even .0001 % differences with any of the other partners in the NDA. Vajpayeeji said: 'You do not have to ask your Union ministers to resign. In your state you can join the AIADMK.'

I told him the Tamil Nadu coalition was more important to me than the coalition at the Centre. It would not be possible for us to be in two different alliances at the Centre and in the state. The ministers gave their resignation letters to the prime minister in my presence.

Vajpayeeji offered to call a NDA meeting immediately. As the political situation in Tamil Nadu is fluid I could not wait. I could not change my party's decision. I had to tell the prime minister that we had to leave.

We had a very good understanding with Vajpayeeji. He is very cordial, accommodating and always very friendly. We parted with a heavy heart. I will never forget the great man.

The central government is not in any danger because of our withdrawal. We did not withdraw with that intention in mind. In politics, there are no permanent friends or enemies, so do not harp about what we did in 1998, 1999 and 2000.

I did not tell Vajpayeeji that we would support the government if it is in danger. That decision can only be taken by all the parties in the alliance.

As reported by A Ganesh Nadar

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