Chennai : Chennai : Pattali Makkal Katchi in all probability will join the coalition that the BJP wants to form for the general elections in which the ruling AIADMK will also be a part.

Clear cut indication of this was given by its leader Anbumani Ramadoss, when he spoke about the clearance of the Dharmapuri-Morappur railway line on Monday.

In a statement issued here, the PMK leader expressed happiness that the central government had given the green light for the railway line despite its negative rate of return.

Incidentally, Anbumani Ramadoss represents the Dharmapuri constituency in Lok Sabha and was the union health minister in Manmohan Singh government. The PMK was part of the NDA but had walked out later.

But the clearance given to the railway line, just couple of months before the general elections, and that too from Dharmapuri is nothing but to soften the PMK into signing up for the alliance.

Construction work on the line would start soon, the PMK leader said. Ramadoss said it is a basic infrastructural need that there should be railway connectivity between the state capital and all the district headquarters.

The proposed line would connect Dharmapuri to Chennai as well.Ramadoss said the Tamil Nadu government had earlier refused to implement the project on joint venture or to share 50 per cent of the project cost.

The Rs.358 crore project would give a negative rate of return at 5.60 per cent.There used to be a narrow gauge train that used to operate on this line during 1906 to 1941 under the British rule.