The Hindu : Aladi Aruna outburst exposes heartburns in DMK: BJP

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Mar 09, 2004

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Aladi Aruna outburst exposes heartburns in DMK: BJP

By Our Staff Reporter

COIMBATORE, MARCH 8 . The suspended Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam leader, Aladi Aruna's criticism of the party's alliance with the Congress and his decision to campaign for the National Democratic Alliance in the Lok Sabha elections reveal heartburns in the DMK, the national secretary of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), L. Ganesan, said here today.

Claiming that many others in the DMK had a lot more to say, the BJP leader said, "We hope many more will join the tribe. And we welcome Mr. Aruna's decision to campaign for NDA candidates."

Mr. Ganesan denied reports of a rift between the BJP and other Hindu organisations and that it might impact the party's prospects. "There is absolute brotherhood among us and they will campaign for our candidates." To a question on his party's relations with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, he said "We will continue to give it due respect, as much as the Dravidian parties give to EVR Periyar".

Asserting that relations with the All-India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam were good, Mr. Ganesan said its snapping ties with the BJP (which led to the Lok Sabha polls in 1999) could not be compared with the Congress withdrawal of support to the I.K. Gujral Government. The Congress did so for its not removing from the Cabinet the DMK ministers, following references to their party in the report of the Jain Commission, which probed the assassination of the former Prime Minister, Rajiv Gandhi. "On the other hand, such charges were not involved in the AIADMK snapping ties with us."

Assailing the Congress for striking an alliance with the DMK, Mr. Ganesan pointed out that the BJP had never indicted the DMK or the Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam for the assassination. "It was the very same Congress which did it and has now teamed up with them."

Without accusing the MDMK of being pro-Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, Mr. Ganesan said "it is their ideology as the Ram temple is to the BJP".

On the fear that the Deputy Prime Minister, L.K. Advani's "Bharat Uday" yatra might trigger communal unrest, he said only those who had "butterflies in the stomach" over the NDA's progress expressed it. "Even the minorities know full well that there will be no communal problems." Referring to Mr. Advani rath yatra in 1990 (which led to the BJP withdrawing support to the V.P. Singh Government), Mr. Ganesan contended there was no riot during the programme. "The fear expressed now forms a consistent campaign against the BJP by the Congress and Left parties."

Asked why the BJP was yet to name its candidates, he said the national president, M. Venkaiah Naidu, would make an announcement in Chennai tomorrow. However, he refused to specify whether it would be for the release of the list.

On the AIADMK general secretary and Chief Minister, Jayalalithaa's campaign itinerary skipping Coimbatore, but including only a couple of Assembly segments on the outskirts, Mr. Ganesan expressed the hope that it would also be included.

The BJP leader was here to review the arrangements for Mr. Advani's visit to the city on March 11.

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