COIMBATORE: MDMK
Treasurer M Kannappan, who quit Vaiko’s party on Wednesday, said he would formally join the DMK in the presence of Chief Minister M Karunanidhi in Chennai. The announcement came after Local Administration Minister M K Stalin called on him at his Aalampalayam farm house.
Backward Classes and Handlooms Minister K K S S R Ramachandran, Rural Industries Minister Pongalur N Palanisamy, Murasoli Selvam and former MP M Ramanathan were also with Stalin when he held talks with Kannappan.
There were differences of opinion between Kannappan and Vaiko over the former calling on M Karunanidhi to enquire about his health. The meeting gained publicity as there was speculation about his purported move to join the DMK.
This virtually caused heartburns between Kannappan and Vaiko. It resulted in heated arguments between the two. Ever since, Kannappan and Vaiko were not on talking terms with each other.
Moreover, Kannappan’s name did not figure in the committee set up for seat-sharing for the general elections. A hurt Kannappan hastened his decision to move to the DMK camp.
Kannappan had skipped the party’s political review committee meeting that was held on Saturday in Chennai, which raised doubts about his quitting the party and returning to the DMK fold. As news spread about Kannappan quitting the party and Stalin and other senior leaders calling on him, scores of his supporters converged at his farm house on Wednesday.