Tamil Nadu - Erode   

Karunanidhi denies charge

Staff Reporter

`This is a fight between democracy and autocracy'

Erode: The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) president, M. Karunanidhi, on Sunday took strong exception to his opponents accusing him of instigating caste differences at a public meeting in Usilampatti.

Addressing the public here, he said those accusing him are "oblivious" of facts.

Mr. Karunanidhi said he had upheld the principles of caste neutrality and social harmony in the seven decades of his political life.

"I, a foot soldier of reformist and rationalist ideology, have espoused those principles," he said.

`Fear of defeat'

His opponents levelled such charges because of the fear of losing. "The fear of defeat has gripped them."

Recalling Chief Minister Jayalalithaa's remark that the contest between the two alliances was "historic," he said he too was of the same opinion.

"This fight is not to recapture power, assume the Chief Minister's seat or anything else, but to revive democracy in Tamil Nadu, which, since time immemorial, has set an example for democratic practices."

Fight of ideologies

He went on to add: "The present election, as I see it, is more of a fight between two ideologies - democracy and autocracy. The former is the need of the hour since the State has suffered enough in the hands of the present Government."

Appeal to voters

And, for "democracy to be restored" in the State, the only way was ballot, he said, and appealed to the voters to cast their votes in favour of Democratic Progressive Alliance candidates.

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