File photo of DMK chief Karunanidhi
After a crushing defeat in Tamil Nadu, the DMK today said that it cannot identify a cause for its debacle but claimed the party "has the heart to bear anything."
Early election results show the DMK, headed by 89 year-old M Karunanidhi, will land not even one of the state's 39 parliamentary seats. Arch rival, Chief Minister
J Jayalalithaa, is set for an outsized victory; her AIADMK is likely to get 36 seats. (
Jayalalithaa Has a Whopping 36 Seats That Modi Does Not Need)
Yesterday, the DMK said it was certain it would not support a government led by
Narendra Modi at the Centre. The BJP had retaliated that it had never sought the DMK's support. Today, the BJP, powered by Mr Modi, has amassed enough parliamentary seats for a clear majority. (
Count Us Out, Says DMK; We Never Asked, Retorts BJP)
Among the DMK leaders who faced defeat today were heavyweights like Dayanidhi Maran and A Raja, both former union ministers.
"We accept the verdict of the people," said party president Karunanidhi, offering his congratulations to Mr Modi and the BJP.
The DMK quit the Congress-led coalition at the Centre a year ago. It has been scorched by allegations of deep-rooted corruption among top leaders including Mr Maran. (
Also Read: 5 Steps to a New Government)
A Raja and Kanimozhi, the daughter of the party chief, are out on bail after being arrested on criminal charges in the telecom scam.
As Telecom Minister in 2008, Mr Raja allegedly accepted kickbacks from firms who got out-of-turn licenses for mobile networks and free-of-cost airwaves. The CBI, which is investigating the case, says M Kanimozhi helped him accept a bribe from one of those firms through a TV channel that she co-owns. (
For A Raja, a list of questions from CBI)
All DMK leaders have denied any wrong doing.