Date:13/04/2003 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2003/04/13/stories/2003041304880100.htm

Southern States - Tamil Nadu

Speaker's warning unfair: BJP

By Our Special Correspondent

Coimbatore April 12. The State BJP president, S.P. Kirubanidhi, today termed "unfair" the warning given to the media by the Speaker, K. Kalimuthu, against recording of statements made by Opposition MLAs within in the Assembly complex.

"It is the duty of the fourth estate to tell the people what is happening in the House. Hence it would be unfair to issue such a warning", he said responding to queries from mediapersons before inaugurating a meeting of the State BJP legal cell here.

At the same time, he was categorical, Opposition parties should not oppose every government move "just for the sake of it. They should be reasonable". Asked whether he thought that the Opposition "had failed to be reasonable" in the House, Dr. Kirubanidhi, said "it looks so".

Both the ruling party and the Opposition should discuss only those issues which pertained to the welfare of the people, without wasting time on "mutual recrimination". But instead of concentrating on "people", both were focussing on "personalities".

To a question on the arrest of the DMK MLAs, including M.K. Stalin, Dr. Kirubanidhi said he was not aware of the circumstances which led to the action. However, he added, it would be good if the MLAs had gone to the Queen Mary's College in Chennai to advise students, agitating against the government move to demolish the institution to build a new Secretariat complex there. But it would be improper if the visit was for "instigating" them.