Democracy returning to T.N., says Venkaiah Naidu

By Our Special Correspondent

CHENNAI, JULY 5. Democracy is slowly returning to Tamil Nadu after the ``two darkest days'' following the arrest of former Chief Minister, Mr. M. Karunanidhi and the two Union Ministers on June 30, but the Centre was keeping a ``close watch'' on the situation in the State, the Union Minister for Rural Industries, Mr.M. Venkaiah Naidu said today.

Indicating that the Centre was not contemplating the use of Article 356 to dismiss the AIADMK regime, the Minister expressed the hope that the State Government would understand the ``Centre's warning'' and continue the process of ``rectifying its mistakes''.

Talking to the mediapersons here after calling on Mr. Karunanidhi at the latter's residence, he assured the AIADMK Government that if it adhered to democratic norms and Constitutional provisions, it had ``nothing to worry''.

Stating that the Centre was not interested in toppling the AIADMK Government, he said, nonetheless, the State administration should follow the rule of law and protect the right to ``dissent and free movement''.

Describing as a ``welcome sign'' the release of Mr. Karunanidhi and the DMK workers, besides dropping of charges against the Union Ministers, Mr. Murasoli Maran and Mr.T.R. Baalu, he pointed out that the Centre had directed the State Government to act in accordance with the Constitution.

When pointed out that the State DGP, Mr.A. Ravindranath, had suggested that action may not be initiated against the police officials who had allegedly indulged in high- handedness during the arrest of Mr.Karunanidhi, the Minister shot back:``If the DGP does not take action, the law will take action.''

Asked if the threat of invoking Article 356 against the AIADMK Government was still alive, Mr. Naidu said the threat was never there. The NDA delegation which visited Tamil Nadu after the ``unhappy happenings'' on June 30, had only demanded drastic action and ``something more'' than the recall of the Governor.

On the video clippings circulated by the Tamil Nadu police showing Mr. Maran punching a police officer at Mr. Karunanidhi's residence during the arrest drama, Mr. Naidu maintained that the video footage was ``more damaging'' for the police. Mr. Maran was ill-treated and ``carried like a dead body'' by the police, he added.

``What prevented the police from arresting Mr. Maran in early hours of June 30 itself, if they felt he was obstructing them from performing their duty?'' he asked.

Referring to the ``strictures'' passed by the Madras High Court and the Principal Sessions Judge on the manner of Mr. Karunanidhi's arrest, Mr. Naidu said that the Centre cannot keep its eyes closed to the violation of Constitutional norms and human rights.

He came down heavily on the Congress for opposing the Centre's decision to recall the Governor. ``The Congress which misused Article 356 about 105 times has no locus standi to criticise the Centre in this issue, he observed.

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