The Hindu : Front Page : Lok Sabha Speaker praises Karunanidhi's legislative career

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Sunday, May 13, 2007
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Lok Sabha Speaker praises Karunanidhi's legislative career

Special Correspondent

SHINING EXAMPLE: Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee with Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi in the Tamil Nadu Assembly on Saturday. — Photo: R. Ragu

CHENNAI: Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee said here on Saturday that the legislative career of Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi was a shining example of commitment to people, and should serve as a guiding light for legislators everywhere.

Felicitating Mr. Karunanidhi in the Assembly on his completion of 50 years as a legislator, Mr. Chatterjee said: "It is a matter of greatest concern that of late people are getting disillusioned, if not cynical, about the way different legislatures are functioning in our country, which is greatly weakening the foundations of our polity and, indeed, our whole political structure itself."

He asked the legislators to introspect and see whether they were contributing towards strengthening the system or not and whether they were honouring their electors, who were the real masters.

Being a legislator was at once a privilege and an honour, which brought with it certain rights as well as responsibilities. "The trust and faith, which the people have reposed in us need to be justified with sincerity and commitment to their welfare. We all are entrusted with the challenging task of keeping the flame of democracy burning bright."

"Mr. Karunanidhi is respected and revered for his many accomplishments and his sterling public service by the people of Tamil Nadu and is held in high esteem by the nation. His many splendoured contributions to our national life have made him a legend in his own life time," he said.

Recalling the Chief Minister's contribution to the success of coalition governance and cooperative federalism, Mr. Chatterjee said: "At the national level, he has been contributing immensely for strengthening the federal polity by fighting for the rightful place of the States of the Union, without compromising on national unity and integrity." Deeply committed to secularism, a progressive social order and other larger national values, his model of development was an all-inclusive one.

"He views politics as a means for social transformation and as a potent instrument for development and growth," he said, recalling various welfare schemes introduced by Mr. Karunanidhi.

He described him as a versatile personality and tireless champion of the Dravidian identity, who encompassed in his repertoire the supreme attributes of an eminent litterateur, prolific scriptwriter and consummate orator known for his quick wit and repartee.

Referring to Mr. Karunanidhi's long innings in the legislature, Mr. Chatterjee said his holding the office of the Chief Minister five times was an achievement in itself. He was inching closer to the record of former West Bengal Chief Minister Jyoti Basu.

Mr. Chatterjee released a compilation of Mr. Karunanidhi's speeches in the Assembly.

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