Chennai, Setp 13: For the first time in 18 months after DMK snapped its ties with BJP's Tamil Nadu unit, DMK President M Karunanidhi today had a meeting with Prime Minister A B Vajpayee during his day-long visit here. Karunanidhi later told reporters that he did not discuss any political issue with Vajpayee, but only apprised him of the 'hardships' of the Cauvery Delta farmers and demanded a meeting of the Cauvery river water authority. The Prime Minister assured him that he would convene CRA meeting in Delhi after consultations with the Chief Ministers of riparian states. The meeting between two leaders took place when Vajpayee visited the ailing Union Minister Murasoli Maran at the Apollo Hospitals. Karunanidhi said Maran responded when Vajpayee called him. He said Maran's condition was 'better', but did not elaborate.

Asked whether he demanded the repeal of Pota with Vajpayee, he said, "We will do it at Villupuram", in an obvious reference to the party's three-day conference beginning there on September 19, which is expected to sow the seeds of political realignment in the state.
Karunanidhi had already stated that the party might launch an agitation demanding the repeal of Pota and for the release of MDMK leader Vaiko, Tamil National Movement leader P Nedumaran and journalist R R Gopal who are Pota detenus and languishing in prison for more than an year now.

Bureau Report