The Hindu : Sonia is no political novice: Vaiko

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Mar 28, 2004

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Sonia is no political novice: Vaiko

By Our Staff Reporter

TIRUCHI, MARCH 27. The Chief Minister Jayalalithaa's continued ``personal attacks'' on the Congress president, Sonia Gandhi, were in poor taste and unbecoming of her high office, the Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam general secretary, Vaiko, said today.

Ms. Jayalalithaa's remarks against the personal life of Ms.Gandhi were uncalled for. ``However, we do not wish to retaliate in the same vein,'' he told mediapersons here. Ms.Gandhi was no `political novice' as she had performed ably in Parliament as Leader of the Opposition.

It was regrettable that the Chief Minister was carrying on a sustained attack against the Opposition rather than focussing on issues and highlighting her Government's achievements. She was merely ``parroting'' the copies handed out by speechwriters. Ms.Jayalalithaa's outbursts only heralded her political downfall, Mr.Vaiko said.

Mr.Vaiko claimed that there was a groundswell of public opinion against the State Government and the ``wave'' would build up leading to a clean sweep for the Democratic Progressive Alliance (DPA) in the Lok Sabha elections.

Asked whether the row over seat distribution in the Congress and the intra-party feud in the PMK would affect the DPA prospects, he replied in the negative and said it was natural that differences cropped up in any large organisation.

These minor issues would subside once the campaign gained momentum though attempts could be made to blow them out of proportion.

Responding to a query, he said his criticism against the Prime Minister, A.B.Vajpayee, was purely political. ``I have always had much regard and affection for Mr.Vajpayee and I will continue to hold him in regard,'' he said. Though he did not have anything personal against the Deputy Prime Minister, L.K. Advani too, Mr.Vaiko indicated that he was quite unhappy with the Home Ministry on the Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA) issue.

The POTA Review Committee was originally given very little powers and attempts were made to incorporate provisions to bar POTA detenus from contesting elections even if they were detained for a day.

``I presumed that Mr.Advani did not want to earn the wrath of Ms.Jayalalithaa. During the debate in Parliament, Mr.Advani did not even mention my name and repeatedly referred to me as a member of the House (who was under detention),'' he said.

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