Southern States - Tamil Nadu   

DMK flouting coalition spirit: BJP

By Our Staff Reporter

COIMBATORE June 16. The State BJP president, C. P. Radhakrishnan, today accused the DMK of violating the ``coalition dharma'' sharing a platform with Opposition parties. Unmindful of the fact that it continued to remain in the National Democratic Alliance at the Centre, the DMK functioned in Tamil Nadu in a manner which ran counter to the spirit of the alliance, he told presspersons here.

``In spite of its being part of the Government at the Centre, the DMK shared a platform with the CPI and the CPI (M). In sharp contrast, the BJP never shared the dais with the AIADMK after it had snapped ties with us''.

Mr. Radhakrishnan was reacting to the DMK president, M. Karunanidhi's observation that there was nothing new in the speculation that the AIADMK and the BJP were coming closer. It ill-behove Mr. Karunanidhi and his party to pass such remarks. ``The DMK cannot draw pride from such comments'', said Mr. Radhakrishnan.

Making clear that his party was not amused at the DMK's statements on the strained ties with the BJP in the State, he said the DMK only made itself an object of ridicule by passing such comments. ``The DMK says it has an open mind on alliance. We also have one. It should speak responsibly and that is what the people expect from it.''

The BJP leader skirted questions on speculation of the BJP getting closer to the AIADMK and said his party was focussed on playing constructive Opposition, resisting only anti-people policies. He endorsed the Chief Minister, Jayalalithaa's criticism of the Pope for his remarks on anti-conversion laws.

``Laws for a country should be decided only by its citizens. Besides, there is total religious freedom in the country. The Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Forcible Conversions Act is aimed at preventing conversions which caused religious hatred. Hence, the Pope should have avoided the criticism.''

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