The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : I will march into the city: Vaiko

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Sep 15, 2004

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

I will march into the city: Vaiko

By Our Special Correspondent

CHENNAI, SEPT. 14. Vaiko, Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam general secretary, today said he would go ahead with his "renaissance march" in the city despite the police denial of permission.

Mr. Vaiko, who arrived at Tambaram, 25 km from here, late last night, began his walk in the morning after overnight stay there.

Talking to newsmen at a wayside halt, he said he would not be cowed down by the "threat" by the All-India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam Government. Refuting the police argument that the march would lead to traffic congestion, Mr. Vaiko said that in his 1,025 km-long march from Tirunelveli, there was never an incident of traffic congestion. In many places, party volunteers themselves helped the police regulate traffic and they never allowed any hold-up. Moreover, the partymen would be walking only in files of three.

The intention of the march, he said, was not to create a problem. But if the state created a problem for the partymen they were ready to face it and the government would be responsible for the consequences.

Mr. Vaiko said the police permitted cycle rallies by AIADMK volunteers which would also lead to congestion in the city.

Asked whether he expected that he would be arrested if he violated the ban, Mr. Vaiko said he could not predict anything now. However, he ruled out his going by a vehicle to Chennai and insisted on walking. He was confident that he would complete the march successfully. Asked how, he said he would not spell out his strategy now.

Mountaineer greets

Earlier at Tambaram, Manmohan Singh Kohli, first Indian to climb the Himalayas, greeted Mr. Vaiko and walked with him for some distance. Mr. Kohli said Mr. Vaiko had all qualities which he admired among top mountaineers of the world. Like him, Mr. Vaiko also was for strengthening the student movement in the country and for protecting the Himalayas.

The Congress MP, K.V. Thangkabalu, presented a shawl to Mr. Vaiko.

Mr. Vaiko addressed partymen on the way to the city and hoisted party flags at a number of places.

Communists' protest

The Communist Party of India State secretary, R. Nallakannu, wondered why the police refused permission for the march within the city limits when they allowed the processionists to use national highways.

"The police authorities should think of an alternative route and enable the MDMK members to complete their rally," he added.

N. Varadarajan, Communist Party of India (Marxist) State secretary, also criticised the police for denying permission.

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