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The presence or absence of the DMK in the dinner that is to be hosted by the Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, for the constituents of UPA, on Sunday, to celebrate the completion of two years in office, could well be an indicator of the mood within the Dravidian party and the degree of comfort it shares with its alliance partner, the Congress.
According to sources, the DMK may skip the dinner as it is in no mood to celebrate in the aftermath of the arrest of Ms Kanimozhi, Rajya Sabha MP and daughter of the party chief, Dr M. Karunanidhi.

In addition, sources said that the first family of the DMK is divided over the issue of continuing in the UPA-led dispensation.

Quite expectedly, the DMK supremo is unable to decide one way or the other. Mr Karunanidhi's sons, Mr M.K. Stalin and Mr M.K. Azhagiri, are not in favour of breaking ties with the Congress at this point as that would well isolate the DMK, which is already reeling under the drubbing it received at the hustings.

The fact that Ms Jayalalithaa may jump on to the UPA bandwagon, in the event of the DMK pulling out is certainly weighing heavily on the mind of Dr Karunanidhi.