Bid to raise privilege issue against CM

By Our Special Correspondent

CHENNAI, APRIL 3. A privilege issue against the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, Mr. M. Karunanidhi, was sought to be raised in the State Assembly today by the AIADMK leader, Mr. P.R. Sundaram.

The Speaker, Mr. P.T.R. Palanivel Rajan, asked the member to present in writing his case of breach of privileges against the Chief Minister.

According to Mr. Sundaram, Mr. Karunanidhi had misled the House by denying that a district revenue officer in Salem, Mr. Natarajan, had been transferred. Reading from a government order, Mr. Sundaram said another official had been appointed in his place.

However, the Chief Minister maintained that no order had been issued to Mr. Natarajan. Mr. Sundaram then cited the appointment of one Mr. Boovalingam as DRO. To this, the Chief Minister said Mr. Sundaram had not brought up the case of Mr. Boovalingam earlier and the controversy was over the transfer of Mr. Natarajan.

The Chief Minister disputed Mr. Sundaram's contention that Mr. Boovalingam's appointment was in place of Mr. Natarajan.

Referring to allegations of ``interference'' in appointments and transfers, the Chief Minister said there was nothing wrong in ``interference'' as such.

He received requests for transfers from members of the ruling party, allied parties and the Opposition. In those cases where he thought the requests were just, he had acceded to them. In other cases, he had rejected them.

The Speaker, at this stage, asked the AIADMK member to submit his case in writing. When the member wanted the Chair to refer the matter to the privileges committee, he said he would decide on the matter based on the letter which he had sought from Mr. Sundaram.

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Section  : Regional
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