The Hindu : Work hard for victory of DPA candidates, Vaiko tells partymen

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Mar 01, 2004

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Work hard for victory of DPA candidates, Vaiko tells partymen

By Our Staff Reporter

TIRUNELVELI, FEB. 29. The unveiling of a portrait of Veer Savarkar, ``a suspect in the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi'', in Parliament had tainted the walls of the core symbol of Indian democracy, the Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam general secretary, Vaiko, has said.

``It's very much like hanging the Father of the Nation. If the Prime Minister, A. B. Vajpayee, is not able to prevent the unveiling of the portrait, how is he going to prevent other impending challenges the country was facing,'' Mr. Vaiko said addressing a public meeting at Kalingapatti, late last night.

He made it clear that he would not spare Mr. Vajpayee during the campaign for the Lok Sabha elections though he had high regards for him. I, as a rationalist, will strive to create a Tamil society, free from all forms of communal rifts. I will completely dedicate myself in achieving this goal,'' Mr. Vaiko said.

Criticising the AIADMK Government, he said the repeal of ban on animal sacrifice in places of worship was only aimed at elections.

He urged the cadres who came from all over the State to work hard for the victory of the Democratic Progressive Alliance candidates. Like an army, cadres should be a disciplined force, he said.

Mr. Vaiko also unveiled plans to revive the past glory of his village, which once had a formidable volleyball team. ``I want to see my younger brethren of Kalingapatti free from all sorts of evils, including alcohol and communal feelings. Soon I will start selecting spirited youth with 5'10 feet for a volleyball team. We will conduct two tournaments every year - in September to mark the birthday of late C.N. Annadurai and in January to mark Thiruvalluvar day - which should reach national levels,'' Mr. Vaiko said.

Gingee Ramachandran, former Union Minister; L. Ganesan, presidium chairman, Nazareth Durai and Mallai Sathya, deputy general secretaries and others spoke. Mr. Vaiko's aged mother, Mariammal, who came to the venue early could be seen watching the meeting proceedings very keenly.

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

Tamil Nadu