The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Representation for southern districts will make me happy: Karunanidhi

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, May 24, 2004

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Representation for southern districts will make me happy: Karunanidhi

By Our Special Correspondent

Surrounded by partymen, the DMK president, M. Karunanidhi, coming out of the Chennai airport on his return from New Delhi on Sunday. — Photo: S.R. Raghunathan

CHENNAI, MAY 23. While expressing satisfaction over the number of berths for his party in the Union Council of Ministers, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam president, M. Karunanidhi, today said he would be happy if the southern districts had a representative in the Ministry.

"The southern districts are not represented. If one or two are appointed from the southern districts, I will be glad," he said on his return from New Delhi. Asked what topics the DMK raised with the Union Government for immediate consideration, he said all issues would be put forward.

"The Cabinet is meeting today. After that we will discuss with the Ministers from Tamil Nadu which problems need to be prioritised and taken up at an early date."

On the issues the DMK wanted in the Common Minimum Programme of the United Progressive Alliance, Mr. Karunanidhi said these included declaring Tamil a classical language, implementation of the Sethusamudram project in five years and inter-linking of rivers. "There are many other demands too (that found a mention)."

Asked about the DMK's decision to join the Government, he said the party had never said it would not be part of the government. "We said we would study their approach and then decide." The DMK executive committee had authorised him to take an appropriate decision in the matter. "Without misusing that power, I asked the treasurer (Arcot N. Veerasamy), the deputy general secretary, M.K. Stalin, and the principal secretary, Durai Murugan, to come to New Delhi and held discussions with them. The general secretary (K. Anbazhagan) could not come. I spoke to him over phone and then the decision was taken," said Mr. Karunanidhi.

The DMK chief said no assurance of any sort was sought from the Congress president, Sonia Gandhi. She had twice requested the DMK to join the government. Then, she came to the place where he stayed in the capital and requested him again. Besides, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) general secretary, Harkishan Singh Surjeet, the Communist Party of India leader, A.B. Bardhan, and the former Prime Minister, V.P. Singh, requested him to join the government.

On the demand for repeal of the Prevention of Terrorism Act, Mr. Karunanidhi would only say: "Soon there will be good news." Asked whether the DMK would insist on the Centre taking recourse to Article 356 of the Constitution to dismiss the AIADMK Government, he said the party did not have any such intention.

On the Cauvery, he said whatever was required to solve the problem amicably would be done. On the possibility of Karnataka releasing water on June 12 (normal date for opening of the Mettur dam for delta irrigation), he said a course of action would be decided after consultations with the Democratic Progressive Alliance partners.

Sonia's sacrifice

Defending Ms. Gandhi's decision not to become Prime Minister, Mr. Karunanidhi said it was a big sacrifice worthy of praise. She put the country ahead of her assuming office. She snatched a weapon from the hands of her detractors who were making her foreign origin an issue.

Earlier, Mr. Karunanidhi arrived here to hero's welcome, with thousands of partymen hailing him for his role in the formation of the Union Government.

They had begun gathering at the Chennai airport from early morning. Security personnel had a hard time trying to keep off partymen and television crew and had to use force to clear the way for Mr. Karunanidhi to reach his vehicle.

Accompanied by Mr. Veerasamy, Mr. Durai Murugan and Mr. Stalin, he drove straight to Anna Arivalayam, party headquarters, where he met the media.

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