The UPA2 is likely to suffer a setback if the DMK does not contain the infighting between T R Baalu and S S Palanimanickam over a new railway line in Thanjavur.

Insiders in the DMK openly speak of the strategy lined up for the Winter Session. They will revolt against Baalu which will have a reflection on the floor coordination by the UPA2. Interpreting this development, an insider commented that the spat between the DMK minister and the MP will ensure a turbulent Winter Session, if the government needs the 18 votes of DMK. If that happens, there will be absentions and boycotts.

A few DMK MPs have been in constant touch with Sonia Gandhi or Rahul Gandhi as these MPs do not belong to the DMK family. These MPs are worried over the future of DMK as an organisation in the event of a post-Karunanidhi era.

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