Southern States - Tamil Nadu

Not directed at any individual: CM

By Our Special Correspondent

CHENNAI April 6 . The Chief Minister, Jayalalithaa, today asserted that the AIADMK Government was firm on barring MLAs from holding elected posts in local bodies. Talking to presspersons at the party headquarters here, she said the amendment was ``not hastily'' conceived, but a draft was prepared and put up before the Cabinet for a detailed discussion. ``The draft amendment has been proposed only after the Cabinet discussed it at length.''

The Chief Minister insisted that the move to strip MLAs of their elected offices in local bodies was ``not politically vindictive'' and nor was it directed at any single individual.

The AIADMK had not given ticket to MLAs or MPs in the October civic elections. ``We want other parties to follow what the AIADMK is practicising.'' For the posts of MLAs and MPs were themselves ``powerful.''

When her attention was drawn to the State BJP leader, L. Ganesan's remarks that the amendment should not have retrospective effect, Ms. Jayalalithaa shot back: ``It may be his view. But, we are firm on our decision.'' As for the coming byelections to three Assembly constituencies, she said, the AIADMK wished to contest all the three seats. However, she said ``she cannot say anything now'' on forging alliances with any party for the bypolls.

Earlier, film actors, Pandian and Charanraj, besides hundreds of cadres from various parties including local bodies representatives joined the party in her presence. ``They have been waiting for months now to join the party in my presence. But, I could find time only today. The entry of several people from other parties only shows that the AIADMK is growing,'' Ms. Jayalalithaa said.

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