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| Tuesday, 25 May 2004 |
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Key ally in Indian coalition unhappy with cabinet NEW DELHI, Monday (Reuters) Ministers belonging to a key regional party in India's new coalition government refused to take up their jobs on Monday, saying they were unhappy with the portfolios given to then. "They have not taken charge because without our knowledge some changes have taken place," said a spokesman for the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) party a day after portfolios for the 67-member council of ministers were announced. "What was agreed to was not done." While there was no immediate threat to the government, which was formed at the weekend by a Congress party-led coalition, the DMK is a major and influential ally. Although it has only 16 seats in the 545-member lower house of parliament, DMK formed an alliance with Congress in its stronghold of Tamil Nadu state and the two swept all 39 seats in the region. Seven of the DMK lawmakers have been included in the council of ministers. Both parties said they were holding talks to resolve the issue. "These things happen in a coalition," said Kamal Nath, a senior Congress party official who held talks with some DMK members. "It's a small matter which we will solve soon. It's not serious." |
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