CM sees no early polls

By Our Special Correspondent

CHENNAI, APRIL 8. The DMK President and Chief Minister, Mr. M. Karunanidhi, today scotched speculation about early polls to the Tamil Nadu Assembly, even as he is understood to have told the General Council that ``unity is my pivotal message'' for the cadres, after being re-elected the DMK chief for the eighth time.

``It (elections) will not come before it is due'', asserted Mr. Karunanidhi here tonight in a brief interaction with media persons, at the end of a crucial meeting of the party's supreme policy making body, marking the culmination of the DMK's 11th organisational elections.

Stating that none of the new initiators of the `third front' had contacted him, he said, ``if it is organised, we will see'' to a query on some former Prime Ministers again mooting the idea.

Discounting a query on exclusion of its NDA allies in the DMK's protest meetings planned in the south against the Kerala Government's attitude to the Mullaperiyar Dam issue, Mr.Karunanidhi said the first phase protest ``is being done by us''.

``We will consult our allies (in the NDA) for the second phase action plan'', he assured, even while reiterating Tamil Nadu's stand that the water storage level in the Periyar dam could be raised to 145 feet as agreed to by the Central Water Commission.

Mr. Karunanidhi, however, ruled out asking the Centre for appointing a Tribunal to resolve the Mullaperiyar Dam imbroglio as it was not a ``water-sharing issue''. Tamil Nadu will approach the Supreme Court for its resolution, he added.

Asked if any Cabinet changes was contemplated, the Chief Minister shot back, ``there is no necessity for it now''.To another query, Mr.Karunanidhi indicated that the State would recommend the continuation of the ban on the Tamil separatist outfit, LTTE, as ``it is a continuous process''. The ban on LTTE has been in force since the Jayalalitha regime, he said.

On the Puthiya Tamilagam leader, Dr. Krishnaswamy's recent alliance overtures to the DMK, Mr. Karunanidhi said, ``if he comes forward to speak, we can talk.'' ``I have never personally dubbed Dr.Krishnaswamy as an evil force'', he added to a related query.The party also adopted a separate resolution appreciating the efforts of the Union Commerce Minister, Mr. Murasoli Maran, in announcing Nanguneri in Tirunelveli district as a locale for developing a special economic zone.

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Section  : Regional
Previous : Plan to strengthen Cong., TMC, AIADMK ties
Next     : TNCC(I) takes out rally against price hike