Governor decision democratic: CPI

By Our Special Correspondent

CHENNAI, JUNE 15. The CPI today defended as ``democratic'', the Tamil Nadu Governor, Ms. Fathima Beevi's decision to swear in Ms. Jayalalithaa Chief Minister.

As head of the State, the Governor's job was to uphold the Constitution, on the one hand, and invite the leader of the largest group to form the Government in the wake of the people's mandate, on the other, said the CPI national secretary, Mr. D. Raja.

Mr. Raja, who was here en route to New Delhi after attending the State Executive meeting at Thanjavur, said the Governor's action viewed in this context was ``alright''.

Asking what other option the Governor had, what with the AIADMK legislature party not even willing to consider any other person to lead them after the decisive mandate given by the people in the May 10 election, Mr. Raja said the parallel drawn with the Kerala situation ``may not be appropriate''.

Apart from media reports, ``we really do not know what the Governor in Kerala said'' in reportedly suggesting to the in- coming Chief Minister, Mr. A.K. Antony, not to include Mr. Balakrishna Pillai (convicted in a case), in the Cabinet, Mr. Raja said.

Mr. Raja described the ``first steps'' taken by the new AIADMK Government as ``quite positive''.

Ms. Jayalalithaa's categorical assertion that there was no move to revert to her earlier regime's position of naming districts and transport corporations after caste-based leaders and the latest decision to waive the full interest on farmers' cooperative loans, were evidence of this, he said.

On the post-Assembly election assessment by the CPI, taking a strong line against the Congress for its ``secret understanding'' with the BJP in Kerala to defeat the Left Democratic Front there, Mr. Raja said that position was not likely to affect the party's ties with the TMC and the Congress in Tamil Nadu who were part of the AIADMK-led alliance in the Assembly polls.

``Politically, we are for all secular, democratic forces to move together and to that extent we are with the AIADMK and its other allies.''

Referring to cases against 401 activists including a large number of women, instituted under the DMK regime after a picketing agitation at Kallal in Sivaganga district last year, Mr. Raja urged Ms. Jayalalithaa to withdraw all those cases.

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Section  : Southern States
Previous : Sudhagaran bail plea adjourned
Next     : Tamaraikani joins DMK