The Hindu : Front Page : Maran resigns after DMK decides to seek his removal from Cabinet

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Monday, May 14, 2007
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Maran resigns after DMK decides to seek his removal from Cabinet

Special Correspondent

Show-cause notice issued to him for "violating party discipline"

— Photo: S.R. Raghunathan

CLOSED-DOOR DELIBERATIONS: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK president M. Karunanidhi (second from right) with (from left) party deputy general secretary M.K. Stalin, general secretary K. Anbazhagan and treasurer N. Veerasamy at the party administrative committee meeting in Chennai on Sunday.

CHENNAI: The administrative committee of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam on Sunday decided to authorise party president M. Karunanidhi and general secretary K. Anbazhagan to "immediately take necessary steps to secure the removal of Union Minister for Communications and Information Technology Dayanidhi Maran from the Cabinet."

A resolution adopted by the committee chaired by Mr. Karunanidhi decided to serve a show-cause notice on Mr. Maran, "as his recent approaches and actions are tantamount to violating the party discipline." His deeds also tarnished the image of the organisation. Further steps with regard to his continuance as a primary member and in other capacities in the party would be initiated after seeking his explanation.

Through another resolution, the administrative committee condoled the death of three employees of Tamil daily Dinakaran in the arson on May 9. The party conveyed its condolences to the bereaved families.

According to sources, Mr. Maran sent in his resignation to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh without waiting for the party to initiate action in this regard. He also spoke to Dr. Singh over phone. The party, on its part, has sent in the request to drop him from the Union Ministry to Dr. Singh.

Mr. Karunanidhi discussed the recent developments with Dr. Singh and Congress president Sonia Gandhi in Chennai on May 11 on the sidelines of a public rally held to mark the golden jubilee of his legislative career.

In a statement here on Sunday night, Mr. Maran said he was prepared to accept the resolution adopted by the DMK administrative committee if it gave any joy to Mr. Karunanidhi and his family.

Mr. Maran said he never harboured any ill will either towards the DMK or towards Mr. Karunanidhi nor would he have such attitude in the future. "My grandfather and father did not raise me in that manner," he said.

He said he had been brought up by Mr. Karunanidhi and owed his position to him. "I am thankful to Kalaignar, the DMK and the party cadres for giving me an opportunity to serve India and Tamil Nadu to the best of my ability and win praise from many," Mr. Maran said.

Praise for Karunanidhi

The administrative committee conveyed its greetings to M. Karunanidhi on his completion of 50 years as a legislator, and expressed its appreciation for untiringly serving the Tamil community and Tamil language. The DMK and its various wings will organise functions throughout the State to felicitate him, as part of the golden jubilee celebrations.

The resolution noted that through the two budgets presented in the last one year the DMK Government fulfilled 90 per cent of the ruling party's election promises such as farmers' cooperative loan waiver and distribution of rice for Rs. 2 a kg, besides attracting industrial investments on an unprecedented scale.

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