'AIADMK only option for secular parties'

By Our Special Correspondent

CHENNAI, MARCH 31. Secular parties in Tamil Nadu have no option other than allying with the AIADMK led by Ms. Jayalalitha, the Samajwadi Party general secretary, Mr. Amar Singh, said today.

Talking to reporters here, he said both the DMK and the AIADMK had aligned with the BJP at one time or the other, but under the present circumstances, there was no secular alternative to the AIADMK.

The Samajwadi Party would seek at least a ``token representation'' in the AIADMK-led front. But, if this was not possible, it would have ``friendly contests'' in a few constituencies. However, the party would make sure that this did not damage the prospects of the secular front.

Insisting that the Vajpayee Government should quit following the Tehelka expose, Mr. Singh said the People's Front, in which the Samajwadi Party was a constituent, would finalise its course of action against the NDA Government at a meeting in New Delhi on April 3.

Claiming that the NDA Government had become ``saffronised'', he said it had lost the moral strength to continue in office.

Referring to the Tehelka revelations, he said the acceptance of money by the then BJP president, Mr. Bangaru Laxman, was ``indefensible.'' Although ``name-droppers'' were common in New Delhi, Mr. Laxman could not be considered a mere ``name-dropper'' and therefore whatever he said in the Tehelka tapes should be treated as the ``gospel truth.''

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Section  : Southern States
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