By M Rama Rao, India Editor, Asian Tribune
New Delhi, 20 May (Asiantribune.com): Even as Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is putting in place his second ministry, his government is in touch with Colombo to see what help Delhi could render in extending quick relief to the brutalized and traumatized Tamils in the ‘war zone’ President Rajapaksa’s statement to Parliament Tuesday was received as much in relief as in delight and his assurance that the well being of the Tamil minority is ‘his responsibility’. The symbolism of Rajapaksa beginning his address in Tamil was not lost here. It in fact reinforced confidence that the President may indeed deliver on his promise of 13th amendment plus.
The developments in Colombo, particularly the surfacing of Prabhakaran’s body that has effectively put an end to speculation that the Tiger’s leader could be alive somewhere, coincided with a visit of Muthavel Karunanidhi, the Dravidian strongman from Chennai to Delhi. The Tamil Nadu chief minister is a key ally of the Congress; With 18 MPs DMK is the second largest ally, next to Trinamool Congress, which has 19.
Karunanidhi’s gift for the alliance - lion’s share of Lok Sabha seats from Tamil Nadu - has put the Congress firmly ahead of the BJP in the numbers game. While the DMK is aiming for three Cabinet berths, the Congress is inclined to give only two. If the Congress has its way, it could mean disappointment for Dayanidhi Maran, despite his making up with his Thatha.
M K Azhagiri, who has won from his stronghold Madurai and his sister Kanimozhi will however be rewarded with cabinet berths. Karunanidhi is asking for shipping and roadways ministry to his son and elevation of T R Balu, who had held this ministry, as the Speaker or Deputy Speaker of Lok Sabha.
Kanimozhi may get tourism or health ministry provided Prime Minister’s office get a ‘clearance’ about her status. Karunanidhi is pushing A Raja for the environment ministry, a portfolio he had held before landing in the Communications ministry in the wake of Marans spat with their Thatha. Raja’s stock with Congress is rather low. The party is unhappy over the manner over the controversies he had created in matters related to spectrum allocation.
DMK patriarch is expecting a few junior ministers’ slots for his party as a reward for its ‘undisturbed’ pre-poll alliance.
Karunanidhi’s talks with Congress President Sonia Gandhi and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh covered the nitty-gritty of ministry making and his demand for sizeable share of ministerial berths to the ‘DMK family’. He has been persuaded to scale down his demand from seven to a manageable three or four. The Congress this time round is unwilling to part with key ministries to any ally. And where the ally persists, then on offer is a junior berth in such ministries.
The Sri Lanka Tamil problem has also figured in the Karunanidhi talks here. There is not much difference in the official line adopted by Chennai and the Delhi formulation. Both sides are synch on the need for Colombo tackling the grievances of the Tamil minority on priority and in empowering them through a meaningful and effective devolution of power.
Both Delhi and Chennai expect Colombo to deliver on the promise of Rajapaksa that once the war over he would address the political issues. Now that the war has ended it is time to redeem the pledge, it is being conveyed to him The Lankan President telephoned the External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee on Monday soon after the Army declared that the war had ended. Mukherjee utilized the occasion to gently remind him of the promise and to urge the need to usher in political reconciliation.
Local media reports say that Delhi is considering expanding the 50-bed field hospital, the Indian army has set up in the No War Zone. India is also firming up its proposals for economic rehabilitation of north and east Sri Lanka.
-Asian Tribune-
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