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Vaiko arrest has pushed BJP into grief: Radhakrishnan

By Our Staff Reporter

VELLORE May 19. The arrest of the MDMK general secretary, Vaiko, under the Prevention Of Terrorism Act has driven BJP workers in Tamil Nadu to unbearable grief, C.P. Radhakrishnan, State president, said today.

Talking to reporters after a 45-minute meeting with Mr. Vaiko in the central prison here, Mr. Radhakrishnan said all BJP leaders, right from the all-India president, down to party workers in Tamil Nadu were opposed to his arrest.

Asked why he had not taken any step to secure the release of Mr.

Vaiko, the State BJP chief said the Centre realising its mistake in filing a counter-affidavit in the case filed by Mr. Vaiko in the Supreme Court challenging certain provisions of the POTA, filed a fresh affidavit. ``We are expecting a good verdict in this matter."

To a question why he had not met Mr. Vaiko earlier, Mr. Radhakrishnan said that though he sought permission thrice in the past, it was not given.

The BJP leader said Mr. Vaiko was cheerful and keeping good health and wanted this message to be conveyed to the Prime Minister, A.B. Vajpayee, and the Deputy Prime Minister, L.K. Advani.

Mr. Radhakrishnan said the arrest of R.R. Gopal, editor, Nakkheeran, led to a general feeling in Tamil Nadu that the voice of the press was being muzzled. The arrest should have been avoided.

On the agitation by medical college students, he said if there was no private college in the State, students would be forced to seek admission to private institutions in other States.

There was nothing wrong in allowing private medical colleges as long as they maintained the highest standards. If necessary, a legal provision could be introduced to pave the way for grant of permission for opening of private medical colleges after an inspection of infrastructure and ascertaining that the required standards were maintained.

Mr. Radhakrishnan said the State BJP did not support the agitation by students of the Queen Mary's College, Chennai, protesting demolition of the institution for construction of a new Secretariat complex.

There were no two opinions on the need for a new Secretariat as the existing complex was not sufficient.

After all, the Government offered to make alternative arrangements for relocating the QMC in the event of demolition.

"We are in the first front, and are therefore not bothered about any third front," quipped Mr. Radhakrishnan, who was asked about efforts being made by the Congress to form a third front in Tamil Nadu.

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