Front Page   

Keen on expediting Sethu project: Karunanidhi

CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi on Thursday said he was not concerned about any one particular alignment for the Sethusamudram channel so long as the Sethusamudram project could be implemented.

“From the beginning, we have not said that the navigable route [connecting the Gulf of Mannar with the Palk Bay] should be shaped by destroying the Ramar bridge. Nor do we say so now. All we say is that the project should be completed speedily,” he told journalists.

The Union government should not be misled by the deceit of a few people who were against the project, he said when asked if the withdrawal of the affidavit filed in the Supreme Court could be seen as an act of betrayal.

On Bharatiya Janata Party leader L.K. Advani’s demand that he withdraw his remarks on Lord Ram, he said Mr. Advani should read the Valmiki Ramayana. He was ready for a debate with Mr. Advani on the same stage.

The Chief Minister said the Sethusamudram project was meant for the development of Tamil Nadu, especially the backward southern districts. Once completed, the shipping distances would be cut short, bringing down the travel costs. Trade and commerce would flourish in the region as it did in the past.

The people of the State had been dreaming about completion of the project for more than a century. Intellectuals and economists too were waiting for it to take shape. The DMK government did not want the intention of the opponents to succeed, he said.

On the contention that he should not speak about a religious figure as he held public office, Mr. Karunanidhi said it was not said anywhere in the Constitution that he should not speak about Lord Ram. “I have not hurt anyone.”

Mr. Karunanidhi said there was nothing wrong in conveying the truth. Repeating what was written about someone could not be construed as hurting anyone. The DMK would not and had not hurt the sentiments of Hindus or others.

Asked if he would retract his comments on Lord Ram, he said the Ramayana was a story. “I have written so many novels. There have been many characters. Is it possible to say that all of them existed,” he asked.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

Keen on expediting Sethu project: Karunanidhi
Ten Sangh Parivar activists in custody
Rupee surges to 9-year high
The earth is a borderless entity: Sunita Williams
Fate of 123 agreement not to affect relations: U.S. official
Pakistan presidential poll on October 6
Moscow for lifting NSG sanctions against New Delhi
Karunanidhi should withdraw his statement, says Advani
Two CDs existed, admits Gujarat government
Congress: avoid uncalled-for comments
Sharma, Dhoni to India’s rescue
England succumbs to Yuvraj
Doing a Sobers is something special
Lawyers go on strike after firing, bomb attack in Patna civil court
Kakodkar holds talks with ElBaradei
“Deal will alter balance to India’s advantage”
Polls: Benazir serves ultimatum on Musharraf
LTTE’s arms depot bombed: Colombo
Palestinians discuss strategy
Rupee rise will hurt export growth
SAIL blueprint for growth beyond 2010
GE Money, Wizard form joint venture
Budhia Singh set to join sports hostel
Plan to clean up Cooum, strengthen banks
PWD moves to clear Government Estate
‘Live India’ channel banned for a month
Exfiltration bid foiled, six Bangladeshis held
Court directive on Bal Thackeray
House session draws to a noisy close
Significant rise in Periyar, Vaigai dam levels
Construction by Lanco Hills, Emaar stayed
Water tax, deposits to be raised in Tiruchi
Inter-State drug racket busted
Names of the drugs
LDF not for probe into Ponmudi land deal
Bids invited for Pilloor water scheme
Death toll rises to 19
Thrilling victory
Bus burning: culprits will be firmly dealt with, says M.P. Prakash
‘War’ over bauxite mining hots up

Copyright © 2007, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu