Upset with the Congress State leadership for criticising it over sharing of seats for the recently held rural local body polls, the DMK on Monday boycotted the meeting called by the Congress in New Delhi to evolve a strategy against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and the National Register of Citizens (NRC).
“How can we participate in the meeting after TNCC leader K.S. Alagiri accused our party leader M.K. Stalin of not abiding by coalition dharma? What has happened to him to issue an open statement? If he had any grievances, he could have met our leader and explained them to him. They have ridiculed us,” DMK parliamentary party leader T.R.Baalu told The Hindu.
Alagiri’s regret
Mr. Baalu said immediately after Mr. Alagiri’s statement, he informed Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad about the DMK’s decision to stay away from the meeting.
“I also sent him the statement issued by Mr. Alagiri. Later, Ahmed Patel also spoke to me to convey that Mr. Alagiri had expressed regret. But nothing was done to undo the damage caused by Mr. Alagiri’s statement,” Mr. Baalu maintained.
Asked why the DMK should take the statement seriously when the Congress high command in Delhi was maintaining a cordial relationship, he said, “We are worried about Tamil Nadu because it is very important for our party. Delhi is not our cup of tea.”
He added: “The rank and file of our party has taken note of Mr. Alagiri’s statement and they are upset. In fact, we have treated the Congress with respect in all districts.”
Mr. Baalu said whatever be the situation, the DMK would stand by the minorities and safeguard their interests.
Meanwhile, Mr. Alagiri is said to have written to Mr. Stalin expressing his apology for the statement that caused friction between the two parties.
