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NT Bureau
Chennai, Jan 19:

        In a politically striking move which may have long term impact on the political balance and equations in the State, DMK president and Chief Minister M Karunanidhi is said to be veering around to the view of going for a coalition government in the State.

        Informed sources in the government and the Tamilnadu Congress Committee (TNCC) today said the Congress and PMK are slated to get two ministerial berths each. Dalit Panthers of India (DPI), Communist Party of India (CPI) and the Communist Party of India (Marxist) are said to get a Minister each. The Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), a minor ally, will also have a representation, for the first time in the history of the State, sources said.

        The reshuffle in the Cabinet and reallocation of portfolios are expected to be taken up soon after the Assembly session which begins tomorrow, sources added.

        After long persuasion by senior national leaders of the Congress the Chief Minister is said to have acceded to the TNCC appeal that their leaders be accommodated in the ministry as this 'opportunity' had come after losing power about four decades ago.

        It may be recalled that the Congress, the PMK and the Left parties had faced the elections together. At that time, the DMK president had given sufficient signals and indications that he was ready for a coalition government and that his only priority was to 'dislodge the anti-people and undemocratic AIADMK government.'

        However, soon after the electoral victory the DMK went in for a full fledged cabinet and had 31 of its members in the Cabinet leaving little space for the allies.

        The TNCC kept reminding its alliance partner of a coalition ministry and the DMK repeated its offer of top posts in welfare and statutory boards in the State. Kumari Ananthan, former president of the TNCC, by taking up the Chairman's post of the Palm products promotion board became the first Congress man in Tamilnadu to respond to the DMK's gestures. However, the Chief Minister was continued to be pressured to part with power in the State.

        The labour now seems to have 'borne fruit' and a new era of coalition politics is being heralded in Tamilnadu which would be a trend setter for the future course of political events in the State.