MDMK to stay with DMK

The crisis in the DMK-led Democratic Progressive Alliance (DPA) appears to have blown over with the

MDMK deciding to continue with the Karunanidhi-led coalition for the coming Assembly elections.

"The MDMK will continue to remain in the DPA and is committed to the victory of the alliance," MDMK chief Vaiko said, ending speculation that he would switch sides and go with the AIADMK.

Karunanidhi, who was on Saturday critical of Vaiko's silence on invitation to take part in the seat-sharing talks and had asked the MDMK chief to clarify his position, said the controversy had come to an end with Vaiko's statement.

"I expected only this from Vaiko," he said after holding seat-sharing talks with PMK leader S Ramadoss.

Describing certain remarks against Karunanidhi by a party leader, Nanjil K Sampath, a "violation of coalition dharma and against party discipline", Vaiko said he regretted the remarks.

Denying the DMK's charge that he was acting in a "dishonest manner", he said probity in public life, honesty in politics and purity in principles were the mantra of the party.

"We have paid a heavy price in the past for upholding these values during our 12 years of existence," he said.

Even during the 2001 Assembly elections,.when the MDMK was forced to leave the DMK front, the party did not not join the front led by the AIADMK for "temporary short term political gains" of getting a few Assembly seats, Vaiko said.

The MDMK has always been an open book and was committed to eradicating dishonest political gambling in a transparent manner, Vaiko said.