The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : `CM must own moral responsibility for defeat'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, May 14, 2004

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

`CM must own moral responsibility for defeat'

By R. K. Radhakrishnan

CHENNAI, MAY 13. Celebrations for Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam cadres began at dawn at Anna Arivalayam, party headquarters here: for the ardent cadres it did not matter counting began at 8 a.m. A few of them said they had no doubt over the verdict.

As the first trends came in, hardly an hour after the counting began, the ranks swelled. As songs blared from loud speakers hailing the DMK president, M.Karunanidhi, and other leaders, the cadres danced, burst crackers and distributed sweets to passers-by. Traffic along the Anna Salai stretch slowed down as enthusiastic party workers parked their vehicles along the road.

Mr. Karunanidhi arrived slightly earlier than usual at the party headquarters. "It is a historic victory," he said. On two earlier occasions — in 1980 and in 1996 — allies and the DMK swept the polls but did not win all 40 seats in Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry.

Asked whether the Chief Minister, Jayalalithaa, should seek a fresh mandate because of the Lok Sabha poll results, Mr.Karunanidhi said she should accept moral responsibility for the defeat and act accordingly. On the demand voiced earlier by the Pattali Makkal Katchi founder, S.Ramadoss, for invoking Article 356 to dismiss the AIADMK Government, Mr.Karunanidhi said he could "comprehend and respect the sentiments" expressed by the leader.

The "communal" government in New Delhi and the "anti-people" government in Chennai were responsible for the victory of the Democratic Progressive Alliance. Though there was a demand that the DMK be part of the new government in New Delhi, he was still firm on supporting it from outside. This would not come in the way of the party MPs serving the people, he contended. However, his opinion — that the DMK support the government from outside - would be discussed on the party fora and a decision arrived at.

Asked whether the DMK would press for implementation of all promises it made in the manifesto, he said the party would discuss and prioritise the demands. All issues, which figured in the manifesto, would be talked about in detail and a decision arrived at.

On the stock market crash, he said this was a common feature when a change of government took place. Asked whether the economic policies would remain similar, he said this issue needed further deliberations. His party and the Left had a broad understanding on the manner of support to the new government, Mr. Karunanidhi said.

Referendum on State govt.: Vaiko

The Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam general secretary, Vaiko, described the victory in all 40 constituencies as "expected" and said it was an "interim referendum on the AIADMK Government." "This is a mortal blow to the audacious, authoritarian and sadistic repressive regime" of the Chief Minister, Jayalalithaa. She "lost the moral right to rule. She has to step down. She has lost the confidence of all sections," he said.

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