DMK rejects Pranab's appeal, ministers to resign today

CHENNAI: The DMK-Congress alliance appeared headed for a break with six Union ministers of the regional party set to resign on Monday even as finance minister Pranab Mukherjee appealed to Tamil Nadu chief minister M Karunanidhi to reconsider his decision to pull out of the UPA government.

The six ministers, including MK Alagiri, will meet the Prime Minister later in the day in Delhi and hand over their resignation.

DMK parliamentary party leader T R Baalu said that Mukherjee called him on Sunday night to convey to Karunanidhi that he and the party should review the decision to pull out of the government.

Baalu said he told Mukherjee that the decision was taken by the party's high-powered committee after deep thinking and considering all factors.

He also told the Congress leader that he would convey his views to the DMK chief.

However, DMK sources said there appeared to be little likelihood of a reconciliation.