Date:08/11/2003 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2003/11/08/stories/2003110809231100.htm

National

`Fit case for dismissing Jayalalithaa Govt.'

By Our Staff Reporter

CHENNAI NOV. 7. The DMK president, M. Karunanidhi, referring to the "anti-democratic" happenings in Tamil Nadu today, said the Centre would not require any bigger reason for dismissing the State Government. He, however, said his party on its own volition, would not put such a demand before the Union Government.

After another senior DMK leader, Anbazhagan, pointed out that the Assembly Privileges Committee was empowered only to recommend punishment and could not impose punishment straightaway, Mr. Karunanidhi said persons accused of breaching the Assembly privilege should have been summoned for a personal hearing.

But in the present case, neither the Editors and the columnists of The Hindu nor Murasoli Selvam were given the opportunity of personal hearing.

He also pointed out that The Hindu's detailed reply to the showcause notice had offered to submit more explanation in person.

Mr. Karunanidhi also said never had in the history of Tamil Nadu this many Editors and journalists were sought to be arrested and jailed.

He condemned the "unprecedented autocracy" perpetrated by the Tamil Nadu Government. Calling upon all neutral observers to denounce today's happenings, he said such a thing could happen to anyone in the State.

As for the party legislator, Parithi Ilamvazhuthi's arrest, the former Chief Minister said the privileges committee's sentence of one-month imprisonment was the fourth punishment handed out to him. He also took exception to the manner in which Mr. Ilamvazhuthi was arrested in the Assembly premises itself.

The former Minister, Duraimurugan, said there were certain procedures to be adopted before introducing resolutions in the Assembly. Stating that the proposed resolution should have been included in the agenda a day before, he said the controversial resolution did not find a place in today's agenda.

He also said that all procedures were violated while passing the resolution, and the Opposition members were not permitted even to suggest amendment. It was improper to conduct the proceedings in a manner, which was worse than village panchayat. He also alleged that it was all planned.