CHENNAI: The ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and its ally Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK), on Friday took opposite stances on a major project for creation of a satellite town in the neighbouring Kancheepuram district.

Much to the surprise of the opposition parties, the PMK for the first time in the newly-elected Assembly took a stand completely different from that of the State Government on the issue, even after Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi came out with a detailed statement in the House on Thursday.

Responding to PMK leader G.K.Mani's apprehensions of the locals that they faced displacement, the Chief Minister said those holding important responsibilities should not spread incorrect information.

"If you are prepared for a war, I am also ready. But it will be a war for an agreement," he said referring to the recent statements of PMK leaders on the issue.

He made it clear that he and his Government had the responsibility of ensuring that no harm was done to the poor and the downtrodden and farmers while implementing the project.

"We should not resort to any act with an eye on the next elections. Polls may come and go but people in the State should live in prosperity and comfort," he said.

He had clarified through a statement under Rule 110 of the Assembly Rules that the Government intended to acquire only 30,000 acres of the 1.40 lakh acres in the area and all the houses, cultivable lands, water bodies and temple tanks in the proposed site would be left untouched.

Even after this, if the local MLAs and MP had asked for a clarification on the people's apprehension that the Government might force them to leave the area, he would have explained to them that it was only a rumour, he said.

Before reading out the suo motu statement in the Assembly, the issue was discussed with the leaders of the allies, including the Congress and the Communist Parties. Electricity Minister Arcot N.Veerasamy was asked to talk to the PMK on the issue, he said.

Recalling that the creation of residential areas such as Anna Nagar, K.K.Nagar and Maraimalai Nagar with a foresight contributed to reducing congestion in the core city to some extent, Mr.Karunanidhi said the satellite town proposal was only aimed at ensuring that the congestion did not worsen.

Assuring that the PMK would uphold its fraternity with the Chief Minister and it would not oppose the project, Mr. Mani said all that the locals wanted was that 30,000 acres should not be acquired from the same location. He asked the Government to reconsider the proposal and implement the project without affecting the interests of the locals.

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