The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : An open admission of malpractices: Jayalalithaa

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Jan 18, 2007
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

An open admission of malpractices: Jayalalithaa

Special Correspondent

Chief Minister's directive to councillors "It will be appropriate for Karunanidhi to resign the post owning moral responsibility"

CHENNAI: Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi's directive to 99 councillors of Chennai Corporation to resign and face fresh election was an open admission by him that there were "irregularities and malpractices" in the conduct of civic poll, All-India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) general secretary Jayalalithaa said in a statement here on Wednesday.

The AIADMK leader said Mr. Karunanidhi was forced to take such a step owing to widespread criticism from various quarters over the conduct of elections. It would be appropriate for Mr.Karunanidhi to resign the post owning moral responsibility instead of asking the councillors to do so.

As the High Court had indicted the State Election Commission and police for the "violence and malpractices," she wanted action against them also.

Demanding re-election in all the 155 wards instead of 99 wards, she said she had no faith in the State Election Commission and the local police and wanted the election to be held with Army protection.

Announcement welcomed

State Secretary of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) N.Varadarajan welcomed Chief Minister M.Karunanidhi's decision.

In a statement here on Wednesday, Mr.Varadarajan said immediately after the election the party pointed out "irregularities and violence" on the day of polling and demanded re-election to all the wards.

Though there was a split verdict by the High Court, Mr.Karunanidhi decided to conduct re-poll in 99 wards, the statement added.

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