The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : "She is the Queen Bee"

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Jan 28, 2006

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

"She is the Queen Bee"

S. Dorairaj

K. Kalimuthu

CHENNAI: "If Assembly is a honeycomb, Chief Minister Dr. Puratchi Thalaivi is the queen bee. I am still searching for words in chaste Tamil to felicitate her for giving top priority for the Assembly proceedings over other important administrative tasks. ... For her, service to people is worship. ... She has received the blessings of the Tamils to stage a comeback as Chief Minister... "

These are some of the encomiums showered by Speaker K. Kalimuthu on Chief Minister Jayalalithaa in his concluding remarks in the 12th Assembly session.

Shortly after the Assembly was adjourned sine die, Mr. Kalimuthu told reporters that he was prepared even to give his head for his leader. Asked if he would accept chairmanship of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) if it were offered, he said that he would carry out any order that was issued by the leadership.

As Speaker, he could not campaign in constituencies other than the one in which he contested, he said. In his concluding speech in the Assembly, he recalled that when demands were raised for his resignation following the resurrection of the two decade-old CBI case, the Chief Minister had declared in the House that there was no need for his resignation, as the House reposed confidence in him. "I consider this is the highest conduct certificate received in my life."

He described the statement as "words inscribed in my heart and the will drawn up in my soul."

He also expressed his gratitude to leaders and members of the Opposition for their confidence in him.

However, while talking to reporters, he expressed his dismay over the attitude of the Opposition in "not helping the State" to receive adequate Central funds for the tsunami and flood relief measures. To a query, he said the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam had developed animosity towards the AIADMK right from its formation in 1972.

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