DMK says no to Federal Front

Hyderabad: Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao did not get a positive response for his proposed Federal Front from DMK chief M.K. Stalin in Chennai on Monday.

Mr Stalin during their one-hour meeting made it clear to Mr Rao that the party could not leave its alliance with the Congress.

Mr Rao explained the agenda of Federal Front and requested Mr Stalin’s support for government formation at the Centre.

According to sources, Mr Stalin told Mr Rao, “We (DMK) cannot come out of the Congress alliance. I have proposed the name of Rahul Gandhi for Prime Minister, the DMK continues to stick to that.”

Mr Stalin reportedly explained the DMK’s firm stand against the BJP and suggested instead that Mr Rao support the UPA to form government at the Centre.

The DMK was of the opinion that the stability of a Federal Front government could become an issue in the light of past experience.

Mr Rao told Mr Stalin, “Even though they faced the elections in alliance with the Congress, the regional parties can come together to from government”.

Both leaders discussed political developments at the national level and the likely post-poll scenario.

Mr Rao told Mr Stalin that neither the BJP nor the Congress would get majority to form government at the Centre on its own.