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POTA misuse will be a poll issue: MDMK

By Our Special Correspondent

CHENNAI, JAN. 18. The Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK) presidium chairman, L. Ganesan, today said the misuse of the Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA) against political opponents would be a major issue in the Lok Sabha poll.

``For no fault of theirs these eight have suffered,'' he said referring to the MDMK leaders who are now on bail. ``Misuse of the POTA will definitely be a major campaign issue,'' he said, answering questions, after a meeting of district secretaries and senior office-bearers here.

The ``misrule'' of the All-India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) Government and the ``many draconian measures'' it had taken to destroy Dravidian ideals would also be an issue. However, Mr. Ganesan refused to say whether the results would be a referendum on the AIADMK rule.

The MDMK announced the formation of a five-member committee to discuss seat sharing with the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, which heads the progressive front in the State. Apart from Mr. Ganesan, the members are the former Union Ministers, Gingee N. Ramachandran and M. Kannappan; the MDMK deputy general secretary, Nazareth Durai, and the labour wing general secretary, Tiruppur Duraisamy.

Asked why the party wanted a committee when it earlier said the DMK would allot seats befittingly, Mr. Ganesan said everything had to be done in due process.

The MDMK would organise five public meetings from February 19 to March 6 to raise funds for its poll expenses. The first meeting would be held here and the last at Sivakasi.

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