The Hindu : Front Page : `Bypoll an opportunity to show unity'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Apr 18, 2005

Front Page

Front Page

`Bypoll an opportunity to show unity'

Staff Reporter

Leaders reiterate their commitment to DPA

MAKING A POINT: The DMK president, M. Karunanidhi, having a word with the TNCC president, G.K. Vasan, at the DMK zonal conference at Thanjavur on Sunday. Also seen are Vaiko, MDMK general secretary, and K. Anbazhagan, DMK general secretary. — Photo: R. Shivaji Rao

THANJAVUR: Leaders of the Opposition parties in Tamil Nadu on Sunday reiterated their commitment to the Democratic Progessive Alliance (DPA), led by the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), at the DMK zonal conference here today.

G.K.Vasan, Tamil Nadu Congress Committee president; Vaiko, general secretary, Marumlarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK); R.Nallakannu of the CPI, T. K. Rangarajan of the CPI(M); G.K.Mani of the Pattali Makkal Katchi and leaders of the Forward Block, the Social Justice Party, the Uzhavar Uzhaipalar Katchi, the National League, the Muslim Munnetra Kazhagam, the Moovendar Munnetra Kazhagam and the MGR Kazhagam participated.

Stressing the need for a change of guard in Tamil Nadu in the coming Assembly elections, the leaders extended their support for achieving the objective by working unitedly.

They said byelections to Kancheepuram and Gummidipoondi offered an opportunity for showing the opposition unity and teaching a lesson to the ruling AIADMK Government.

M.K. Stalin, DMK deputy general secretary, wondered why the State Government did not file a charge sheet against him in cases related to construction of overbridges in Chennai.

Dayanidhi Maran, Union Minister for Communications and Information Technology, called for true federalism, which enabled the Central and State Governments to have cordial relations but also allowed them to exercise their rights. He said that the best solution to drinking water scarcity in Chennai was to convert seawater into drinking water. For this, the Centre announced a Rs. 1000-crore scheme.

But instead of implementing it, the State Government concentrated on the New Veeranam scheme, which would result in groundwater depletion in Perambalur and Thanjavur districts.

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