Says complaints of money distribution to voters are common
M. Karunanidhi
MADURAI: Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam president and Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi on Saturday denied he had mounted pressure on the Election Commission not to postpone the byelection to the Madurai West Assembly constituency.
“Such allegations are imaginary. The EC is an independent body and political party leaders believe that it will function in a fair manner,” he told reporters here.
Mr. Karunanidhi is here to campaign for Congress candidate K.S.K. Rajendran.
“No differences”
On reports of money distribution and violence, he said one or two untoward incidents could occur during elections. Complaints of distribution of money to voters were also common. In Madurai, the car of a DMK functionary was burnt. The Government had no difference of opinion on the transfer of the Madurai Collector, Commissioner of Police and others by the EC. “The Government will not shirk its responsibility.”
Mr. Karunanidhi said he was happy about the nomination of Prathiba Patil as the Presidential poll candidate. The DMK had not sought the post of Vice-President. As a follower of Periyar and Anna, who fought for the liberation of women and their development, Mr. Karunanidhi said he would utilise the first opportunity to implement their ideology.
Replying to a query on the Cauvery dispute, Mr. Karunanidhi said since 1968 the issue had taken various dimensions.
After the final verdict of the tribunal, the Government was taking steps to arrive at an amicable solution by involving all parties.
“No new dam”
The Chief Minister said the strength of the Periyar dam was found to be strong enough to store water up to 142 feet. It was only after experts certified the dam strength that the Supreme Court gave its verdict. However, Kerala was refusing to increase the storage level to 142 feet. Saying that the question of building a new dam by Kerala did not arise, he said encroachments at the dam site would be removed after negotiations.
Asked about unscheduled power cuts in the State, Electricity Minister Arcot N. Veerasamy said 14,000 transformers required for ensuring uninterrupted supply were not purchased during the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam regime. After Mr. Karunanidhi took over, he sanctioned funds for the purchase of 7,000 transformers. By December, the remaining 7,000 would also be bought.
“There is no power shortage as such. We are, in fact, generating power more than the requirement. Surplus power is being sold to Punjab and Maharashtra,” he said.
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