Setting aside political considerations in order to help a Dalit woman occupy a reserved seat, The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam has decided to support its arch rival All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam's nominee for the Theni district panchayat president's post, Chief Minister M Karunanidhi said on Saturday.

Of the ten members of the panchayat, six were from the DMK, but none was a Dalit woman, he said in the party organ, Murasoli.

The election to the post has been postponed due to lack of quorum, he added.

When Dalit Panthers of India leader Tol Thirumavalavan brought this matter to his notice, Karunanidhi told him that at any cost political considerations should not prevent a Dalit woman occupying the post.

His party was prepared to support even the AIADMK, which had two Dalit women candidates, he said.