DMK pressuring Advani to `punish' officials

By Harish Khare

NEW DELHI, JULY 19. The Union Home Minister, Mr. L.K. Advani, finds himself under pressure from his DMK ministerial colleagues to take exemplary action against those officers who were involved in the June 30 events in Tamil Nadu.

The two Central Ministers, Mr. Murasoli Maran and Mr.T.R. Baalu, are believed to have been relentless in demanding that an example be made of the Director-General of Police of Tamil Nadu, the Police Commissioner of Chennai and the Chennai Corporation Commissioner for helping the Chief Minister, Ms. Jayalalithaa, to carry out a vendetta against the former Chief Minister, Mr. M. Karunanidhi.

The DMK Ministers are reported to have suggested that the officers be sent on a ``punishment'' assignment, like a posting in the northeast. The Ministers are not even prepared to wait for the findings of the judicial probe announced by the State Government.

Under the service rules, all India officers like those belonging to the Indian Administrative Service or the Indian Police Service are primarily amenable to the control, supervision, discipline and, if needed, penal authority of the State Government. The Union's role is peripheral.

The legal position has been explained to the DMK, but they are reported to be insisting that the Centre issue a ``directive'' - under Article 355 of the Constitution - to the State Government. The argument that a State Government would not be obliged to comply with any such demand from the Centre, is not acceptable to the NDA coalition partner.

Observers believe that the DMK leaders have spotted Mr. L.K. Advani's weakness insofar as he has a record of giving in to any sustained pressure. In particular, Mr. Advani has established a pattern of giving in to the allies, even if it means side- stepping administrative rules and constitutional norms. The DMK leaders, according to observers, must have calculated how the Union Home Minister gave in to the Samata Party's demand that the President's Rule be imposed in Manipur.

The Home Ministry finds itself unable to appreciate the DMK's eagerness to drag the Union Government in its battle against Ms. Jayalalithaa. The Centre has already propitiated the DMK leadership by providing NSG security to Mr. Karunanidhi. But the DMK is persisting with its demand that the senior police officials be penalised. The NDA partner is banking on the Union Home Minister and his pronounced itch to cave in.

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Section  : National
Previous : Soren was holding office of profit: SC
Next     : NHRC seeks Karunanidhi's response