New Delhi: It was high drama at the Tamil Nadu House, where over 100 journalists had gathered since morning, anticipating the arrival of senior Congress leaders to sign an agreement with the DMK.
Around noon DMK leaders T.R. Baalu, Dayananidhi Maran and Kanimozhi met senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad and submitted seven names — three with Cabinet rank, two MoS with independent charge and two MoS. For the three Cabinet berths, the portfolios of Surface Transport, Shipping and Power, Railways or Telecom were sought. For the Minister of State (independent charge) the Health portfolio was sought. The second round of talks was held in the evening and TV channels started announcing the portfolios of DMK ministers stating that the DMK proposal had been accepted. But it transpired that the Congress was not prepared to give more than two Cabinet berths and four MoS (including one independent charge).
Then came the announcement from Mr. Baalu about the telephonic conversation between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and DMK president M. Karunanidhi and the latter informing Dr. Singh that the Congress formula was not acceptable .
On the eve of the swearing-in in 2004 too, the DMK had stated that it would stay out of the government. But the issue was sorted out.
Around noon DMK leaders T.R. Baalu, Dayananidhi Maran and Kanimozhi met senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad and submitted seven names — three with Cabinet rank, two MoS with independent charge and two MoS. For the three Cabinet berths, the portfolios of Surface Transport, Shipping and Power, Railways or Telecom were sought. For the Minister of State (independent charge) the Health portfolio was sought. The second round of talks was held in the evening and TV channels started announcing the portfolios of DMK ministers stating that the DMK proposal had been accepted. But it transpired that the Congress was not prepared to give more than two Cabinet berths and four MoS (including one independent charge).
Then came the announcement from Mr. Baalu about the telephonic conversation between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and DMK president M. Karunanidhi and the latter informing Dr. Singh that the Congress formula was not acceptable .
On the eve of the swearing-in in 2004 too, the DMK had stated that it would stay out of the government. But the issue was sorted out.