Jaya may fast but PMK to remain with UPA

CHENNAI: After Congress, it is now the turn of the PMK to set at rest speculations over its joining the AIADMK front, which has MDMK and the two Left parties. Union health minister and PMK youth wing leader, Anbumani Ramdoss, on Friday hinted that the party would stay with the Congress-led UPA front.

Speaking to reporters in Chennai he said that only UPA combine is going to win the Lok Sabha elections. PMK���s general council will meet soon to decide on the electoral strategy.

The party has organised a youth conference in Chennai on Saturday in which a pledge would be administered against smoking, drinking, dowry, terrorism and actors fan clubs, he said.

He said Tamil Nadu topped the list in the sale of liquor and most youths had become addicts. His party would create an awareness among the youth against alcohol consumption, he said
Mr Ramdoss said his ���major achievement��� as health minister was the introduction of National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) which all future governments would continue.

Meanwhile, AIADMK leader Jayalalithaa has advanced her day long fast to March 9 from March 10 announced on Thursday to highlight the plight of Sri Lankan Tamils and demanding a ceasefire in the Island. She said other front line leaders of the party would lead the fast in the district headquarters.

She has advanced the fast date since PMK had earlier announced its decision to observe fast on the same issue on March 10 at the same venue in the city.

Blaming the Centre and the ruling DMK for ���failing to ensure cease-fire��� in Sri Lanka, she said the fast is aimed at pressing the Union government to ensure peace in the island where the security of a large number of civilian Tamils is under threat. She has also expressed her complete solidarity with the Sri Lankan Tamils.