Tags: UPA , Congress , Ghulam Nabi Azad , DMK , M Karunanidhi

New Delhi: In an attempt to pacify DMK, Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad will visit Chennai to hold talks with DMK chief M Karunanidhi on Saturday, said sources.

According to the sources, Azad will be deputed as the Congress representative to persuade DMK chief after the party announced external support to UPA government.

Upset over the portfolio allotment by Congress Party, DMK chief M Karunaidhi has gone back to Tamil Nadu.

Addressing a press conference in Tamil Nadu Bhawan on Friday morning, Karunanidhi said, ‘The party will be represented by one of our leaders in the swearing-in ceremony.'

The DMK leader did not comment much on the status of the party's relationship with UPA. He said, ‘We will decide about it once I reach Tamil Nadu and meet my party members.'

It is worth mentioning here that DMK chief M Karunanidhi sought seven ministerial berths in the next government to be formed today. Same numbers of ministers were there in the last government. Congress considers DMK's demand unreasonable, which has been the cause of contention between the two parties. Congress sources revealed that the party is unwilling to offer anything more than 3 cabinet berths to DMK. Congress has given a clear ‘no arm-twisting' message to DMK. Congress has conveyed that the party is willing to concede three cabinet portfolios to the pre-poll ally including the Chemical and Fertilisers Ministry and Information Technology. The Congress is also willing to allow the DMK to pick a third portfolio from Labour, textile, heavy Industries and Small Scale Industries.

Karunanidhi on Tuesday reached Delhi along with his son M.K. Azhagiri, daughter Kanimozhi, grandnephew Dayanidhi Maran, a former telecommunications minister, and T.R. Baalu, also a former minister in the UPA government and met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh United Progressive Alliance's chairperson Sonia Gandhi.

There were 16 MPs of the party last time. This time 18 party candidates have secured victory and DMK is the third largest constituent in UPA coalition.

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