The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Parties to boycott May 26 meeting

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Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Parties to boycott May 26 meeting

Special Correspondent

CHENNAI: The AIADMK, its ally MDMK and the Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK) on Friday announced that they would boycott the May 26 meeting of the leaders of all Legislature parties convened by the State government to discuss sand quarrying and sale. “The meeting is an eyewash,” AIADMK general secretary Jayalalithaa and MDMK general secretary Vaiko said in separate statements.

Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi had agreed to convene it only after the AIADMK and the allies of the ruling DMK opposed the government’s decision to lease out sand quarries, Ms Jayalalithaa alleged. Accusing the Chief Minister of insulting the State Assembly, MLAs, all party leaders and people of Tamil Nadu by his unilateral decisions, she said he had no moral right to convene the all party meeting. Mr Vaiko also agreed with her.

Mr. Vaiko said all the guidelines laid down for sand quarrying during the AIADMK regime had been violated.

“The government talks about open tenders to lease out quarries only to divert the attention of the people who are angry with sand smuggling,” he said and added that every day 500 lorry loads of sand were being smuggled to Kerala.

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