The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Improper of tenant to enquire about property owner: Jayalalithaa

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Jul 25, 2006

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Improper of tenant to enquire about property owner: Jayalalithaa

Special Correspondent

Issue is who is the landowner or was it usurped: Karunanidhi

CHENNAI : Former Chief Minister Jayalalithaa on Monday reiterated that the farmhouse at Siruthavur in Kancheepuram district did not belong either to her or to her friend Sasikala , as alleged by some people.

Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi, she charged, was trying to "blow up" a non-issue solely with a view to put her in a piquant situation during the Assembly session. She had already made it clear that she had taken the bungalow on rent and had been paying the rent from her personal funds.

It was not proper to enquire about the owner of the property or his relatives while taking a building on rent, she said in a statement here on Monday.

Ms. Jayalalithaa said she avoided using Government funds for personal purposes, unlike Mr. Karunanidhi.

Refutes charge

Refuting his charge that the Government maintained the road leading to the bungalow, Ms.Jayalalitha said it was unfortunate that he was not aware of the fact that there were many multi-national and information technology companies and a famous temple at Tiruporur situated on the road, necessitating the maintenance of the road by the Government.

While, she replied to all questions raised by him, he was yet to disclose the source of his personal as well as his relatives' assets, she charged.

Responding to her charges, Mr. Karunanidhi said that she was unnecessarily dragging his name in the issue. Questions were bound to be raised when a Chief Minister took a bungalow on rent. He had only said that the Government had not received any complaints in this connection but it would enquire into it and bring out facts if it was brought to its notice.

Assets made public

Mr. Karunanidhi said he had made public his assets at the time of filing of nominations for the Assembly elections. His son, daughter and relatives were earning through proper means and were regular in filing their income tax returns.

The issue now was who was the actual owner of the land on which the bungalow was constructed or was it usurped from local Dalits.

Instead, Ms.Jayalalithaa unnecessarily sidetracking the issue.

Meanwhile, CPI(M) State secretary N. Varadharajan condemned Jayalalithaa's criticism of him and said he was prepared to face any legal action initiated by her.

He wanted the Government to order a probe and restore the lands to the Dalits.

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