The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Jayalalithaa must apologise, says Karunanidhi

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

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Jayalalithaa must apologise, says Karunanidhi

By Our Staff Reporter

ERODE, APRIL 11. The Chief Minister, Jayalalithaa, should tender apology to the public for arresting the Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam leader, Vaiko, and eight other functionaries, under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA), as a review committee stated that there was no prima facie case against them, the Dravida Munnetra Kazaham president, M. Karunanidhi said today.

He was addressing an election meeting at Erode, canvassing votes for the Tiruchengodu parliamentary constituency candidate, Subbulakshmi Jagadeesan, and the Palani constituency candidate, S.K. Karvendan, of the Congress.

When the POTA bill was passed, Murasoli Maran and Mr. Vaiko feared that it would be misused in some States. But the Prime Minister, A. B. Vajpayee, and the Deputy Prime Minister, L.K. Advani, gave an assurance that they would not allow any State to misuse the Act. But they did nothing when it was misused in Tamil Nadu. The National Democratic Alliance Government's `India is Shining' campaign was meant to divert the attention of the people. But "India is in Dark," Mr. Karunanidhi said.

Assurance to weavers

Mr. Karunanidhi 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, 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.

Women's Bill

Mr. Karunanidhi addressing a meeting at Salem on Saturday night said the BJP 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.''

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