Date:01/11/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/11/01/stories/2006110104840400.htm

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

DMK's response adds insult to injury: PMK

Special Correspondent

Karunanidhi, Veerasamy remarks "add insult to injury"

CHENNAI: Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) president G.K.Mani on Tuesday criticised the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK)'s response to the "acts of indiscipline and violation of the alliance dharma" committed by the ruling party activists in the local body elections resulting in the defeat of candidates of his party.

Referring to the statements issued by DMK president and Chief Minister M.Karunanidhi and party treasurer Arcot N.Veerasamy describing the violations as "normal," Mr.Mani said their remark amounted to "adding insult to injury."

However, he made it clear that PMK leaders had expressed their views over the DMK activists' role in the local body elections not to drive a wedge between the two parties. He also appealed to the PMK activists to recover from the anguish and take up the party work.

The PMK had expelled two of its then councillors who had violated the alliance dharma in the by-poll held in June 2004 for the chairmanship of the Cuddalore district panchayat, he recalled.