Latheef wants DMK to withdraw support

By Our Special Correspondent

TIRUCHI, DEC. 12. The President of the State unit of the Indian National League, Mr. Abdul Latheef today appealed to the Chief Minister, Mr. M. Karunanidhi to withdraw the DMK's support to the NDA government headed by Mr. A. B. Vajpayee, since the Prime Minister had announced that he was in favour of construction of the Ram temple at the disputed site.

Talking to newsmen here, the INL leader said that despite his assurance to all NDA partners that the BJP will not pursue any contentious issues, the Prime Minister had said that the construction of the Ram Mandir at the disputed site was `an expression of nationalist feelings and the task had remained an unfinished task'. If even after such an open declaration, the Chief Minister refused to come out of the NDA, the INL would launch a state-wide stir, to `expose the opportunistic stance of the DMK.'

The DMK which claimed that it was following the principles and policies enunciated by Periyar and Anna, should not continue to support `fundamentalist forces,' headed by the BJP, which had unleashed a `virulent campaign' against the minorities.

Mr. Latheef criticised the rather vague reaction of the Chief Minister to the statements of the Prime Minister, and added that the TDP which was supporting the government from outside, and the Trinamool Congress, and the INLD, which were partners in the government had come out in a very forthright manner against the statement.

If the DMK leader failed to come out of the NDA, the people, especially the minorities, would give the party a fitting reply in the coming elections, he said.

Welcoming the government gesture to pay Rs. 2 lakhs as compensation to the relatives of the `mosque muder' victim in Palayamkottai, the INL leader said the affected people will be satisfied only if the cultprits were apprehended quickly and given deterrent punishment.

The fourth state conference of the Indian National League will be held in Tiruchi on January 21, Mr. Latheef said.

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Section  : Southern States
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