Karunanidhi to meet Sonia Gandhi tomorrow to discuss Cabinet berth

DMK leader and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi will meet Congress president Sonia Gandhi to discuss the formation of the next government at the Centre and giving ministerial berths to his party MPs.

DMK leader and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi will meet Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Tuesday to discuss the formation of the next government at the Centre and giving ministerial berths to his party MPs.

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The DMK's executive council met in Chennai on Monday and authorised Karunanidhi to decide on the party's stand on joining the next ministry at the centre.

The council also elected TR Baalu as DMK's parliamentary party leader.

The council passed a resolution asking the Central Government to get the Sri Lankan Tamil problem resolved through dialogue.

Congratulating Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Congress president Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi for the UPA's victory, the council also praised MK Stalin, MK Azhagiri and Kanimozhi for ensuring the DMK combine's victory in the Lok Sabha elections in Tamil Nadu.

Later, addressing reporters, Karunanidhi said: "We are yet to think about being part of the central cabinet. I will be meeting Sonia Gandhi tomorrow."

He declined to comment on the crowning of his son, Stalin, as the chief minister in near future.

Asked about the possibility of sharing power with the Congress at the state level, Karunanidhi was non-committal and said: "If Delhi (Congress leadership) asks, we will consider such a request."

Queried about the Sethusamudram canal project, Karunanidhi said that the new government will complete it.

Taking a dig at opposition leaders, he thanked them for defaming him at election rallies which, in turn, made people vote for the DMK combine in large numbers.