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
