DMK Pulls out of UPA: The door still open for negotiations says Cho Ramaswamy

The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) today announced pulling out of the Congress-led UPA coalition. It is in protest against the government's position on a US backed United Nations resolution on war crimes carried out during Sri Lanka's civil war.

However, DMK chief M Karunanidhi said, "DMK ready to reconsider its decision if Parliament adopts resolution before March 21," Reacting to the news, Cho Ramaswamy, Editor, Thuglak says the DMK chief’s above statement clearly means that he has still kept the door open for negotiations. With reference to DMK chief’s statement that if he does pulls out he will not consider giving outside support to UPA, Ramaswamy says it means it will be a total pullout and not just a gesture. Below is the verbatim transcript of his interview on CNBC-TV18 Q: How do you read this development of DMK pulling out of UPA government? Do you think there is any possibility of a compromise from hereon? Now that this decision has been announced by the DMK - could they go back on this withdrawal from the United Progressive Alliance (UPA)? A: Karunanidhi has himself said that they would be prepared to reconsider everything, if there is an adequate resolution passed in the parliament. If the parliament takes the attitude which he demanded it should then as he said he would reconsider this. So, he has still kept the door open for negotiations. Q: What do you make of the announcement from him that if he does pullout he will not consider giving outside support to the UPA? A: If he pulls out it is going to be total pullout and not just a gesture that is what he means. But he has left the door open saying that he will reconsider if the parliament takes the right attitude.