Sulking DMK MPs don’t want to party, but Karuna says go

UPA-II’s anniversary bash

With Kanimozhi in Tihar Jail, and following the drubbing their party received in the TN Assembly polls, they are in no mood to celebrate with the Congress

Lakshmi Iyer / ANI

Posted On Sunday, May 22, 2011 at 04:43:15 AM

(Photo:Kanimozhi's husband Aravindan and son Aditya leave Patiala House Court after her hearing on Saturday)

In New Delhi There is no official boycott by the DMK, of the Prime Minister's annual dinner on Sunday to mark the completion of UPA II’s second year in office.

In fact, DMK MPs were instructed to be present for the event. Yet, with Kanimozhi, the darling daughter of the DMK first family locked away in Tihar Jail, the over two dozen DMK MPs (18 Lok Sabha and seven Rajya Sabha MPs) are in no mood to party at 7 Race Course Road.

The annual PM’s dinner party is to celebrate achievements of the UPA government. With 18  

MPs DMK is the second largest UPA ally after the Trinamool Congress which has 23 MPs.

Senior DMK minister and Kani's brother M K Alagiri is likely to skip the dinner.

The Union Fertiliser Minister is not only angry with the Congress, he is also upset with his stepsister for destroying the DMK by getting involved in the telecom scam.

Over a dozen MPs who rushed to Delhi to be present with Kani in Patiala Court were all seen rushing back to Chennai.

“Of course, we have been asked by DMK high command to attend the PM's dinner. But we don't feel like attending the event. Most of us have already begun to hunt for excuses to skip the event. But I presume at least half a dozen DMK MPs will put in  an appearance at the UPA dinner,” admitted a party MP, who claimed he had to tend  to his ailing wife.

Rajya Sabha MP Tiruchi Shiva, said, “I have some urgent work back home. I promise to come back on Sunday.”

DMK sources said the party leadership has not been happy with the way the Congress has handled the 2G scam, allowing two of its leaders - Kani and former telecom minister A Raja - to get arrested and put behind bars in Tihar jail.

 Kanimozhi, Raja appear in court 

Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) lawmaker Kanimozhi and former Telecom Minister A Raja were on Saturday produced before a special court here in connection with the 2G spectrum scam.

Kanimozhi's mother and DMK leader T R Baalu were also present in the court. Her counsel told mediapersons that she would move the Delhi High Court for bail.

A special CBI court on Friday refused to grant bail to her and Kalaignar TV managing director Sharad Kumar


http://www.mumbaimirror.com/article/3/20110522201105220443255459a9f4d6e/Sulking-DMK-MPs-don%E2%80%99t-want-to-party-but-Karuna-says-go.html