Tamil Nadu

“AIADMK poll manifesto has no reference to Ramar Sethu”

PUDUKOTTAI: Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi on Friday offered to quit politics if the poll manifesto of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) released prior to the last Assembly elections had any mention of the Ramar Paalam.

Speaking at a function held to mark the inauguration of the fifth phase of the ‘free two acre land scheme’ here, Mr. Karunanidhi said that the AIADMK’s election manifesto had termed as ‘primary responsibility’ steps to clear the rocky surface and sand dunes forming the Adam’s bridge between Rameswaram and Thalai Mannar as part of implementing the Sethusamudram Shipping Channel Project (SSCP).

“If anyone proves that the AIADMK manifesto had any mention about the Ramar Paalam I will quit politics,” he said, adding the AIADMK was now launching a protest assuming that people would have forgotten the poll manifesto.

Tracing the efforts made for the implementation of the SSCP, he said that it was usual for State Governments to press the Centre to implement developmental projects.

C.N. Annadurai, three months after assuming charge as Chief Minister, launched an ‘awakening day’ (ezhuchi naal) in support of the demand for the SSCP, second mine-cut of the Neyveli Lignite Corporation and the Salem Steel Plant. The DMK had now called for a day’s bandh in support of the SSCP. As head of the NDA government, which had given clearance for the project, former Prime Minister A.B. Vajpayee should confess to having cleared the project, either with or without the knowledge of the existence of Ramar Bridge.

Opposition parties were attempting to stall the execution of the SSCP with the ulterior motive of depriving the ruling parties at the Centre and State of credit for implementing the project, as it would bring long-term benefits including economic prosperity and international trade. He appealed to political parties and members of the public to make the October 1 bandh a success.

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