The Hindu : INL expresses solidarity with DMK front

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Jan 18, 2004

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

INL expresses solidarity with DMK front

By Our special Correspondent

CHENNAI, JAN. 17. The Indian National League president, Ebrahim Sulaiman Sait, today met the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam president, M. Karunanidhi, at his house here and expressed the INL solidarity with the "secular democratic front" in Tamil Nadu led by the DMK.

Talking to newsmen after the meeting, Mr. Sait said the need of the hour was formation of such a front to defeat "fascist and communal forces in the country led by the Bharatiya Janata Party." While Mr. Karunanidhi would lead the front in Tamil Nadu, it would be the Congress president, Sonia Gandhi, at the national level. There would be "perfect coordination and cooperation" among the constituents.

Describing Mr. Karunanidhi as a dynamic and mature leader and champion of minorities, Mr. Sait said he would lead the front to success in the Lok Sabha election.

Asked whether he had made any specific demand on the number of seats for his party, Mr. Sait such issues would be discussed later, after the election dates were announced.

The front would also draw up a common minimum programme (CMP) before the election. Asked whether the Ayodhya issue would be included in the CMP, Mr. Sait said even the BJP had given it up. In the recent Assembly elections, the party did not raise the issue at all. Why should the INL rake it up now? On this issue, the INL would abide by court verdict.

The purpose of his visit was to congratulate the DMK leader on his role in forming the "secular front" in the State.

INL south India meet

The INL would organise a south India conference here on February 29 and leaders of all "secular" parties, including Mr. Karunanidhi and Ms. Sonia Gandhi, would be invited. The conference would be a forerunner to the success of the front in the State, Mr. Sait said.

According to a DMK release, Mr. Sait discussed with Mr. Karunanidhi the coming elections. The party treasurer, Arcot N. Veerasami, and the principal secretary, Durai Murgan, were present.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Tamil Nadu