A compromise-formula seems to have been finally arrived at between the ruling DMK and its close ally Congress, following which reports suggest that the State wing of the national party has dropped its demand for a share in the Tamilnadu Cabinet.

According to sources, since the high command of the Congress is interested in ‘strengthening’ the faction-ridden party in the State than getting seats in the Cabinet,  rebel MLAs, who had earlier demanded  ‘due share’, have decided to make do with ‘compensations’ proposed by the DMK.

The Dravidian party has reportedly assured the national party that it would consider all the ‘demands’ of the Congress MLAs, except a share in the Ministry.

This has been briefed to Congress legislators by their floor leader D Sudharsanam at a recent meeting in the Assembly complex, it is said.

Though some MLAs opposed the idea at first, they had no other way than eventually accepting it, as the words of the high command is  sacrosanct, as far as the Congress is concerned.

Many sections of Tamilnadu Congress had urged for Ministerial berths in DMK-led regime in the State as that Dravidian party had got seven ministerial posts in the UPA government which had retained power after the Lok Sabha elections.

‘If the DMK with 18 MPs can get three Cabinet posts and four slots as Ministers of State in the Centre, Congress, with 35 MLAs, should have adequate representation in the Tamilnadu government.’ This became the unified voice of the faction-ridden party.

While floor leader Sudharsanam expressed optimism that their leader Sonia Gandhi and Tamilnadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi would take a ‘positive decision’ soon, Union Minister G K Vasan said, ‘It is upto them (Sonia and Karunanidhi) to decide. They know when to take it and where to take it. They always take right decisions.’

Following this, TNCC president K V Thangkabalu and Sudharsanam left for Delhi following an invitation from the high command to hold discussion on this subject, where they were reportedly briefed that the leadership was not interested in getting share in Tamilnadu Cabinet.