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PMK may leave UPA and join Jayalalithaa

Last updated on: March 20, 2009 18:01 IST

The Pattalli Makkal Katchi will hold its general council meeting in Chennai on Sunday to decide whether to align with J Jayalalithaa or with M Karunanidhi. PMK Leader Dr S Ramadoss is likely to announce the party's decision on Monday.

The mood among the senior PMK leaders is to align with Jayalalithaa's All India Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and they hope to convince the general council to go along with this line.

If this is the case the party will pull out of the United Progressive Alliance coalition and its two ministers Anbumani Ramadoss and R Velu will resign.

Soon after that PMK delegation is likely to visit Jayalalithaa's Poes Garden residence in Chennai and announce the alliance with the AIADMK.

Meanwhile, Vijayakant, the Tamil cine star turned leader of Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam, is arriving in Tirupati on Saturday to have darshan of Lord Venkateswara.

"It is his vow to place the manifesto and a probable candidates list at the feet of Lord Balaji," said a source who will also be travelling with him.

Vijayakant on return in Chennai on Sunday is expected to hold a press meet to announce electoral alliance issues.

Insiders say that Vijayakant does not want to align with the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam as he has been campaigning against the misrule of Karunanidhi.

But leaders in the state Congress are keen to forge an alliance with the DMDK, DMK and the Congress.

To understand the Congress mindset, Vijayakant deputed his two lieutenants to New Delhi -- his brother-in-law Dr Sadheesh and Panruti S Ramachandran, 80, who was minister in M G Ramachandran's government. They camped in New Delhi for two days to meet Congress leaders.

From Our Chennai/Delhi correspondents