Date:24/03/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/03/24/stories/2007032409670600.htm

Tamil Nadu

PMK members resent DMK activist's remarks against Ramadoss

Special Correspondent

They squat outside Chief Minister's office in protest

EXPRESSING ANGUISH: PMK president G.K. Mani and party MLAs holding placards condemning the remarks made by a DMK platform speaker recently, at the Secretariat in Chennai on Friday. — Photo: V. Ganesan

CHENNAI: Members of the Pattali Makkal Katchi on Friday conveyed to Chief Minster M. Karunanidhi, their protest against remarks made by a Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam platform speaker about their leader S. Ramadoss.

They later held placards against R. Vetrikondan outside the Assembly and raised slogans against him. One of the slogans inscribed on a placard read: "We are hurt by these remarks. We are squatting here to seek justice from the Chief Minister."

Shortly after Finance Minister K. Anbazhagan presented the budget, the PMK MLAs, led by the legislature party leader G.K. Mani, rushed to the Chief Minister's office at the Secretariat and sat outside it. They denounced "slanderous remarks" made by the DMK activist against Dr. Ramadoss in a recent interview to a Tamil periodical.

Later, Mr. Mani told reporters they had called on Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi to convey their shock and dismay at Mr. Vetrikondan's remarks.

Denying that the interview was given with his consent, Mr. Karunanidhi expressed concern over the remarks and condemned them. He also assured the PMK members that such incidents would not recur, Mr. Mani said.

Mr. Karunanidhi, while replying to a set of questions on Thursday, had made it clear that he concurred with Dr. Ramadoss' statement that such incidents should not recur, Mr. Mani pointed out. "We are satisfied with the Chief Minister's explanation."

"Support will continue"

Mr. Mani made it clear that their protest would not come in the way of the PMK continuing its ties with the DMK. "Our support to the DMK Government will continue till it completes its full term." During the discussion with Mr. Karunanidhi, the party's demand for setting up of a coordination committee, comprising parties of the Democratic Progressive Alliance, did not come up, Mr. Mani said.

Even while leaving Fort St.George, the PMK members were seen carrying the placards.