The Hindu : Intelligence not keeping tabs on Sonia, Maran: CM

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Apr 20, 2002

Southern States

Southern States - Tamil Nadu

Intelligence not keeping tabs on Sonia, Maran: CM

By Our Special Correspondent

CHENNAI April 19. The Tamil Nadu Intelligence department is not keeping tabs on the Congress president, Sonia Gandhi, and the Union Minister and DMK leader, Murasoli Maran, the Chief Minister, Jayalalithaa, asserted in the State Assembly today.

Ms. Jayalalithaa, who had stated in the House last week that Ms.Gandhi and Mr.Maran had a secret meeting, clarified this morning that though the State Intelligence had sent her a report about the ``meeting'', it had not snooped around the residences of the two leaders.

The Intelligence officials would have received the information about the meeting from among the ``several sources of information'' they had all over the country.

Stating that she did not know whether the information was correct, Ms. Jayalalithaa, however, pointed out that neither Ms. Gandhi nor Mr. Maran denied that such a meeting took place.

Ms.Jayalalithaa's clarification came during zero hour when the DMK deputy leader, Durai Murugan, referred to the PWD Minister, O. Paneerselvam's statement yesterday refuting the TNCC president, E. V. K. S. Elangovan's charge that the Tamil Nadu Intelligence had kept tabs on the Congress president.

Mr. Durai Murugan wondered whether the Minister's refutation did not contradict the Chief Minister's statement that she had received Intelligence reports about the secret confabulations between Ms. Gandhi and Mr.Maran or whether the Union Minister alone was monitored.

Immediately on her feet, Ms. Jayalalithaa said Mr. Durai Murugan's efforts at creating a wedge between her and the PWD Minister would not succeed. For, he issued the refutation only on her advice and suggestions about its content.

She also insisted that the State Intelligence would monitor only anti-national and criminal elements.

Last week, when the DMK and Congress members clashed in the House, Ms. Jayalalithaa intervened to say that while the two parties were quarrelling in Tamil Nadu, Ms.Gandhi and Mr.Maran.

had held a secret meeting recently. She also said she had received the information from the Intelligence department.

While the DMK leadership brushed aside the charge, the TNCC president warned the AIADMK Government against snooping around Ms.Gandhi's residence.

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