Karunandhi puts his post on line

"Reeling out statistics of those arrested for supporting the LTTE, and for smuggling supplies across the seas, Karunanidhi said he was a disciple of the late Annadurai who had given up the demand for Dravida Nadu to strengthen the unity of India."
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by Special Correspondent in Chennai

(February 03, Chennai, Sri Lanka Guardian) Smitten by the unceasing criticism against him by the leaders of the Tamilnadu Congress Committee (TNCC) over the issue of action against supporters of LTTE, Chief Minister in Tamil Nadu M Karunanidhi on Sunday strongly defended his government, chided the Congress leaders and announced that he was ready to 'lose power' over the LTTE issue.

The immediate cause for the ire of Karunandihi was apparently the strong remarks made by TNCC heavyweight and Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram yesterday in a public meeting at Nagercoil.

Solemnising the marriage of his 40 year assistant Shanmuganathan's family member at Anna Arivalayama here, in which several TNCC leaders had also turned up, Karunanidhi said some were trying to topple his government by indulging in 'conspiracy' and asked the Congress men not to be a party to it.

Referring to the Nagercoil speech of TNCC leaders on Saturday and the sequence of events inside and outside the State Assembly, (hinting at the debate over action against LTTE sympathisers) he said he wished to bring clarity over certain issues.

'If the TNCC president M Krishnaswamy realises the point, it can be deemed that the whole TNCC party unit had assimilated the facts,' Karunanidhi said and added that he regretted the remarks of top Congress men like P Chidambaram, M Krishnaswamy, EVKS Ellangovan that the State had turned out to be a 'hunting ground' for the LTTE.

Stressing that it was the responsibility of all friendly parties including the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) to stop the State turning into a favourable destination of the banned outfit, Karunaidhi said if some deeds of VCK were 'indifferent' he advises them.

'If they do not reform, whoever goes against the nation, action will be taken. I have made this clear even in the State Assembly that action will be taken against people who work or go against the interests of the country,' he said.

The Chief Minister wanted to know whether it was fair to say that he had given room to Tigers in the State.

Reeling out statistics of those arrested for supporting the LTTE, and for smuggling supplies across the seas, Karunanidhi said he was a disciple of the late Annadurai who had given up the demand for Dravida Nadu to strengthen the unity of India.

Choked with emotion, Karunanidhi in an emphatic tone said his government will never forgive people who indulged in anti-national activities.

Outlining several initiatives of his government, Karunanidhi said TNCC leaders should not become prey to the plot of some forces inimical to the growth of Tamils.