Southern States - Tamil Nadu

DMK protests `sarcastic' reference to Karunanidhi

By Our Special Correspondent

CHENNAI April 18 . A reference to the relationship between the Union Industry Minister, Murasoli Maran, and the DMK president, M. Karunanidhi, by the Food Minister, P. Dhanabal, triggered a walkout by the entire party group from the Assembly today.

While the DMK said it was not averse to such remarks being made if they were warranted by a context, the manner in which the remark was made was derogatory.

Trouble began when Mr. Dhanabal, in his reply to a budget debate, held Mr. Maran responsible for not including tea in the priority list in the new Exim policy. He then referred to the DMK chief, M. Karunanidhi as Mr.Maran's `maman' (uncle), and said the former Chief Minister also did not do anything for tea growers, excepting put down agitations with an iron hand.

The DMK whip, E. Pugazhandhi, was on his feet, taking exception to the manner the Minister referred to the party leaders. The other DMK members too stood up and demanded that the portion be removed from records. At this, the AIADMK members also joined in, and a slanging match followed.

The DMK deputy leader, Durai Murugan, said the ``sarcastic'' manner in which the remark was made was wrong. The Speaker, K. Kalimuthu, said the Minister merely mentioned the relationship between Mr. Karunanidhi and Mr. Maran. ``What is wrong with this,'' he asked Mr. Durai Murugan.

And when Mr. Durai Murugan and the DMK members did not relent, Mr.Kalimuthu wondered whether Mr. Maran could be described as Mr. Karunanidhi's brother.

The Speaker ruled that `maman' was not an unmentionable word in the Assembly.

Dissatisfied, the DMK members wanted to know whether the Chief Minister and others in the House could be referred to similarly.

The AIADMK members were on their feet again, matching the DMK's shouting skills.

Mr. Durai Murugan said the Minister's reference was wrong and led the partymen out.

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Southern States

News: Front Page | National | Southern States | Other States | International | Opinion | Business | Sport | Miscellaneous |
Advts: Classifieds | Employment | Obituary |

Stories in this Section

• Interest cut for coop. crop loans
• DMK protests `sarcastic' reference to Karunanidhi
• Dental college seats: SC notice to T.N.
• We having nothing further to do: EC
• DVAC probing `DMK govt. copra scam'
• Decision on Tamil medium only after SC verdict
• All-out efforts to trace fishermen
• `Intelligence not monitoring Sonia'
• HC stay on TNPCB action against marriage halls
• IT sections discriminate against NBFCs, says petition
• Thanikodi assumes office

Copyright © 2002, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu