Coimbatore: Chief Minister and Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam President M. Karunanidhi on Tuesday accused All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam general secretary Jayalalithaa of making false claims on disposal of files when she was the Chief Minister.

Addressing a press conference at Coimbatore, Mr. Karunanidhi accused the former Chief Minister of deceiving people by claiming that she had cleared 60,000 files in five years.

Giving a break-up of the files disposed of by her as the Chief Minister between 2001 and 2006, Mr. Karunanidhi pointed out that the Chief Minister's office always numbered the files. Of the 20,049 files sent to her, Ms. Jayalalithaa did not dispose of 1,112 files, Mr. Karunanidhi contended.

One important file not signed by her pertained to the allocation and expenditure incurred for the rehabilitation of tsunami victims. Orders were issued by secretaries for the disbursement of Rs.1,852 crore without obtaining the approval from the Chief Minister.

Action could be initiated against the secretaries for this, he said. To correct such a serious lapse, a file was sent to her in January 2006. She did not sign even that file. "After assuming office, I signed that file", he said.

On Ms. Jayalalithaa using chikungunya as a poll plank against the DMK and its allies, he said the former Chief Minister was used to "uttering lies". The 232 deaths listed by the former Chief Minister had been examined and of them, nine were still alive while others had died due to other ailments, accidents, murders and suicides, he claimed.

If one were to go by her statistics , one out of every 10 persons would have to be afflicted by chikungunya, he said. He drew attention to the fact that two years ago, the Centre had alerted the State on the possibility of an outbreak of chikungunya.

On the elections to cooperative societies, he pointed out that the previous Government had promised to hold elections in three months. Mr. Karunanidhi said the elections would be held soon.

Asked about rebel candidates in the Congress for the civic polls, Mr. Karunanidhi said he was aware of it and said that the Congress would take action.

Mr. Karunanidhi welcomed the suggestion by Communist Party of India State Secretary D. Pandian for an all-party meeting. The meeting would find ways for a legislation to end such practices and to punish those responsible, the Chief Minister said.

On the suggestion for more funds for local bodies, Mr. Karunanidhi said the State provided close to 28 per cent in the budget to the local bodies.

It would be enhanced in the next budgets. On providing cable connection for free TV beneficiaries, he pointed out that one could watch TV even without a cable connection.

The financial position of the State was all right now, he said. When the DMK went out of power in 2001, the State had a loan of Rs.28,000 crore. But when the party wrested power from the AIADMK in 2006, it was close to Rs.56,00 crore.

Reacting to a question on criticisms levelled against the Dravidian parties by Desiya Murpokku Dravidar Kazhagam leader Vijaykant, Mr.Karunanidhi said "I do not consider him as a political leader."

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