The Hindu : `CM challenging MP at function a blot on politics'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Oct 15, 2003

Southern States

Southern States - Tamil Nadu

`CM challenging MP at function a blot on politics'

By Our Special Correspondent

Chennai Oct. 14. The DMK and Left parties have condemned the attack on the Congress MP, Mani Shankar Aiyar, near Karaikal, when he was returning from a government function addressed by the Chief Minister, Jayalalithaa, at Nagapattinam yesterday.

Talking to the media here today, the DMK president, M. Karunanidhi, said the attack on the MP and his car was deplorable. The Chief Minister's speech challenging him at the government function was a "blot on politics".

As for her criticism of the DMK on the Cauvery issue, Mr. Karunanidhi said she had been singing the same tune. ``When they (AIADMK) rule the State, should the Opposition get Cauvery water?''

To a query on the Government not including the names of the DMK MLAs and MPs in the invitations for its functions, he said: ``It only means that those who have been invited and whose names figure in the invitations face danger on the platform. The Nagapattinam function is an example.''

In a statement, the CPI State secretary, R. Nallakannu, urged the Government to bring to book the culprits behind the attack on Mr. Aiyar. The MP had attended the function only at the invitation of the Government, he said, adding ruling partymen attacked him and ransacked his office.

`Autocratic attitude'

The CPI (M) State secretary, N. Varadarajan, said the incident followed the Chief Minister's provocative speech at the function.

It was painful that government functions were increasingly turning into political platforms. Utilising a government function for criticising an Opposition MP reflected an autocratic attitude, totally disrespectful to the people's representatives, he said.

The Chief Minister should give up such an ``autocratic approach'', face politics ``politically'' and function with respect for democracy.

Youth Cong.

threatens siege

The State Youth Congress president, M.K. Vishnuprasad, warned that youth would lay siege to the Chief Minister's residence if the Government failed to initiate action against those who attacked Mr. Aiyar.

She ``violated'' the conventions normally observed during government functions by criticising the MP, who had only sought some benefits for his constituency.

The Chief Minister criticised Mr. Aiyar for having written an article critical of her and dared him to repeat his lines at the function.

Referring to her claims that she had the guts to restate anywhere her criticism of the Congress president, Sonia Gandhi, Dr. Vishnuprasad asked whether she would now repeat her accusation that the Deputy Prime Minister, L.K. Advani, suffered from selective amnesia.

Take action: PT

The Puthiya Tamizhagam leader, K. Krishnasamy, said the ruling party should not only take strong action against those responsible for the assault on the MP but also ensure that such incidents did not recur.

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