Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam thinks they are Chennai Super Kings

With the swearing in of the Prime Minister and his uled for 6.30 pm Friday at Rashtrapati Bhavan, the Congress worked overtime today after allies bargained hard for ministerial berths and the DMK, mounting pressure, declared it had decided to stay out of the government and lend outside support.

“The formula by the Congress is not acceptable to the DMK, Honourable Prime Minister has discussed with DMK chief Karunanidhi. At the end, my leader Karunanidhi advised me to inform that DMK will support from outside,” party leader T R Baalu told reporters. Incidentally, the Congress is not keen to have Baalu and A Raja back in the Cabinet.

Despite the DMK announcement, Congress leaders indicated that negotiations would resume. While the DMK was pressing for eight berths (four Cabinet Ministers and four Ministers of State), the Congress was said to be offering six berths (three Cabinet, three MoS). Even if it were to settle for six berths, the DMK was adamant on four Cabinet posts.

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