The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : `BJP did not cooperate on Women's Bill'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Apr 12, 2004

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

`BJP did not cooperate on Women's Bill'

By Our Staff Reporter

SALEM, APRIL 11. The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) president, M. Karunanidhi, has asked the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to think of the ``consequences'' of constructing a Ram temple in the disputed site at Ayodhya.

Addressing an election meeting here last night in support of the Democratic Progressive Alliance candidates— K. V. Thankgabalu (Salem), Rani (Rasipuram) both Congress; Dr. Senthil (Dharmapuri) of the Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) and Subbulakshmi Jagadeesan (Tiruchengode) of the DMK, Mr. Karunanidhi said the DMK and its allies had prevailed upon the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance Government not to raise the Ayodhya issue. ``But it has become their main agenda now.''

The DMK president said the Deputy Prime Minister, L. K. Advani, who did not mention a word on this issue during his yatra in Tamil Nadu, had declared in the North that they (BJP) would construct the temple.

The BJP, he said, had never accepted the DMK's demand to table the Women's Reservation Bill in Parliament citing lack of majority in Rajya Sabha. ``But they could pass the Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA) by calling for a joint sitting of Parliament.'' However, Mr. Karunanidhi said the DMK, the PMK and the Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam had voted for the POTA following an assurance from Mr. Advani that States would not be permitted to misuse it. ``But it was not honoured,'' he alleged.

Accusing the All-India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam of attempting to disturb his public meetings, Mr. Karunanidhi asked the Election Commission to take action against the ``undignified'' campaigning in the State.

Assurance to weavers

Mr. Karunanidhi, has assured the weavers of Tiruchengode that the Congress-DMK combine, if voted to power in would withdraw the CENVAT.

Addressing a public meeting at Tiruchengode, on Sunday, Mr. Karunanidhi said despite DMK's persistent demand to withdraw the CENVAT, the Centre had refused to oblige. ``The BJP-led NDA Government after sometime had started rejecting the genuine demand of its constituents.'' One such demand from the DMK that was turned down was withdrawal of the CENVAT, he said. The DMK would not confine to weavers problems alone.

The former Chief Minister also pointed out that only due to the DMK's insistence, the BJP came forward to appoint a Review Committee on the POTA.

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