DMK seeks Dayanidhi Marans resignation from Union Cabinet

The Dravida Munnetra Khazagam (DMK) administrative committee on Sunday passed a resolution authorising its chief M Karunanidhi to take measures to secure the resignation of Union Telecom Minister Dayanidhi Maran in the wake of mischievous poll surveys published by his newspaper that brought the succession battle within the party in open.

Chennai, May 13 : The Dravida Munnetra Khazagam (DMK) administrative committee on Sunday passed a resolution authorising its chief M Karunanidhi to take measures to secure the resignation of Union Telecom Minister Dayanidhi Maran in the wake of 'mischievous' poll surveys published by his newspaper that brought the succession battle within the party in open.

Karunanidhi and his party is apparently upset that the Maran brothers had not heeded to his advice to call off poll survey on who would be Karunanidhi's successor.

The party has reportedly decided to issue a show-cause notice to Maran as to why he shouldn't be expelled for violating party discipline.

The party will also ask the UPA leadership at the Centre to remove Maran from the Union Cabinet.

Maran had reportedly offered his resignation letter to Karunanidhi on Saturday, but the latter refused to accept it, stating that it should be given to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

Maran is reported to resign from the Union Cabinet within next 24 hours.

Meanwhile, the Congress termed the development as "DMK's internal affair" and refused to comment on it.

On Wednesday, supporters of one of Karunanidhi's sons, M K Azhagiri set the office of Tamil daily, Dinakaran, on fire in protest against publication of a survey that declared M K Stalin, another son of Karunanidhi, as his political heir. Two computer engineers and a security personnel of Dinakaran, choked to death during the incident.

Dinakaran had carried out a statewide survey on who would be the political heir of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK supremeo Karunanidhi and had published the results.

The main contenders in the poll were three of Karunanidhi's children- Local Administration Minister and party Deputy General Secretary M K Stalin, the Madurai-based Azhagiri and poet Kanimozhi. The survey voted Stalin as the frontrunner with 70 per cent votes in his favour, while Azhagiri was relegated to last position.

Infuriated supporters of Azhagiri then torched the newspaper's office in Madurai.

Dinakaran is owned by Kalanidhi Maran, the brother of Dayanidhi Maran.

ANI