TALKING TOUGH: State CPI (M) Secretary N. Varadarajan addressing party workers at a demonstration to protest against the violence during Chennai Corporation elections, in Chennai on Thursday. - Photo: S.S. Kumar

CHENNAI: State secretary of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) N.Varadarajan on Thursday warned that his party would be forced to reconsider its ties with the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) if the violence let loose in Chennai during the first phase of the local body poll spread to other parts of the State.

Addressing activists of the CPI (M) at a demonstration held here to protest against the poll violence in the city, he urged the State Government to take immediate remedial measures.

Demands highlighted

The demonstration was aimed at highlighting demands such as withdrawal of cases "foisted" against the CPI (M) activists, taking action against ruling party functionaries who indulged in violence, resorting to administrative measures against authorities who failed to act on complaints of poll irregularities and conducting re-poll at the wards where atrocities were committed, he said.

"Will watch every step"

Reminding the ruling party that the Government had four and half years to complete its term, he said, "We will keenly watch every step taken by you."

The decision was not an act of bravado or it was taken out of anger, he added.

However, he said the CPI (M) would continue its support to the DMK Government in the implementation of welfare measures and its stand on issues such as reservation policy.

`No double standards'

Mr.Varadarajan denied that his party was adopting "double standards" by opposing the DMK's "highhandedness" in Chennai even while continuing ties with the ruling party in other parts of the State.

The party was duty bound to condemn the brutal violence in Chennai, though the local body poll was peaceful in 80 per cent of the areas in districts, he said.

It was unfortunate that certain DMK functionaries had poured scorn on the CPI (M) activists who worked for their success during the Assembly poll, he said. Leaders of the party also conveyed their feelings to Chief Minister M.Karunanidhi, he added.

Vehicle to serve people

Unlike certain other parties, the CPI (M) never considered office as means of amassing wealth, as it wanted to use it as a vehicle to serve the people.

Chairpersons and other elected representatives of the CPI (M) in the local bodies in the State would also support the demands of the party men in Chennai, he said, adding that they would not hesitate to quit their posts if the leadership asked them to do so, as part of the struggle to protect democracy, he said.

He also cautioned the party men against attempts by the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) to "fish in the troubled waters."

As the CPI (M) was committed to continue its battle against the AIADMK's "authoritarianism," it would not like to "jump from frying pan to fire," he said.

Among others Central Committee Member A.K.Padmanabhan, State secretariat member V.Meenakshisundaram and party MLA Mahendran addressed the meeting.

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