‘DMK-Cong ties hinge on Stalin–Rahul equation’

Trichy: The dynamics of the alliance between DMK and Congress depends on the understanding between chief minister M K Stalin and Rahul Gandhi, and not on the views of the Congress's state election in-charge, minister for natural resources S Regupathy said on Thursday."The decisions taken by the DMK president and Rahul Gandhi will be final," he told reporters in Pudukottai, adding that the party was not concerned about comments from others. Responding to remarks by actor-turned-politician Vijay, Regupathy said DMK does not invite everyone who "comes near Anna Arivalayam," the party headquarters. He alleged that Vijay was keeping his options open by stating that no party had approached him. On whether expelled AIADMK leader O Panneerselvam could join DMK, Regupathy said anyone was free to be part of the DMK-led alliance as the election had not yet been announced. He also dismissed claims by AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami, asserting that he would neither return to power nor fulfil his promise of providing ₹10,000.