The Hindu : `DMK decision a turning point'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Dec 28, 2003

Southern States

Southern States - Tamil Nadu

`DMK decision a turning point'

By Our Staff Reporter

VELLORE Dec. 27. The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam decision to withdraw from the National Democratic Alliance has created a healthy environment, which was conducive to principle-based politics, and it would create a turning point in Tamil Nadu, according to the State Communist Party of India secretary, R. Nallakannu.

Talking to newspersons here today, he said he believed that the DMK's decision would herald a change, based on political principles, which would ensure the defeat of the All-India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and the Bharatiya Janata Party in the Lok Sabha elections. Ruling out the possibility of the formation of a third front in the State, he wanted all secular parties to come together to defeat the ``policy-based alliance between the AIADMK and the BJP.'' The talk of a ``progressive front'' by the DMK president, M. Karunanidhi, was welcome. Referring to the statement of the Kanchi Sankaracharya that temples should not be kept open on the night of December 31, Mr. Nallakannu said it was the traditional practice of people to worship in the temples of their choice on the New Year eve, and therefore it was not proper to force people to change their practice.

Pointing out that both the CPI and the DMK were continuing to insist on the NDA Government to repeal the Prevention of Terrorism Act, he wanted the Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam to take a ``correct decision'' on the issue under the present political circumstances.

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