No differences between Centre, State: CM

By Our Special Correspondent

CHENNAI, MAY 13. There is no contradiction between the stand of the Centre and Tamil Nadu Government on the present crisis in Sri Lanka, Chief Minister, Mr. M. Karunanidhi, said here today.

He came out with this clarification responding to a question at a press meet whether there was any incongruity in the context of his saying that he would be happy if the LTTE secured Eelam through armed struggle or negotiations and the Centre making it clear that it was not for Tamil Eelam.

Behind his expression was his anxiety that the present offensive in the Island nation should end and lead to a solution through negotiations. According recognition to Eelam or not was a different matter. Despite all the developments that had taken place, if the present war ended and a political solution was arrived at he would be all the more happy, the Chief Minister said.

Mr. Karunanidhi said his sentiment should not be taken to mean that he would raise his voice on behalf of Tamil Nadu for the creation of Tamil Eelam. What he meant was, whether it was a question of Eelam or Tamils securing all rights there should be a conducive atmosphere where Tamils could live in peace.

However, he made it clear that for achieving this objective he would neither accept or welcome the presence of LTTE in Tamil Nadu nor allow the Tigers to use Tamil Nadu as a base for their activities. Even recently, he said, the police had prevented certain activities of LTTE supporters in the State and that only demonstrated the Government's firmness in this regard, the Chief Minister said.

His attention was drawn to the Centre's contention that the ban on LTTE had been extended because the Tamil Eelam demand might whip up secessionist tendencies in Tamil Nadu also.

In response, Mr. Karunanidhi said in Tamil Nadu the secessionist demand had gained strong momentum under the leadership of Periyar and Anna. ``It is now long time since we have totally abandoned such a demand''.

Since the start of the recent conflict in Sri Lanka, 114 Tamil refugees had arrived in the State and the Police and the Coast Guard were keeping vigil, he said answering a question on the steps taken by the Government to prevent the entry of militants in the guise of refugees.

Asked about the next stage of negotiations with Kerala on Mullai Periyar dam issue, Mr. Karunanidhi said, he had planned to stay in Delhi from May 19 to 22 to attend the meetings of Planning Commission, Cauvery River Authority and Inter-State Council. The Centre had also arranged talks also on the Mullai Periyar issue.

On the penalty of Rs. 28 crore imposed on Mr. T. T. V. Dinakaran, AIADMK MP and nephew of Ms. Jayalalitha's friend Ms. Sasikala, for contravention of various provisions of Foreign Exchange Regulation Act, the Chief Minister said, action against Mr. Dinakaran was initiated during the regime of former Prime Minister, Mr. P. V. Narasimha Rao. The penalty was in respect of the cases registered against him.

On the achievements of his regime in the last four years, Mr. Karunanidhi said there was satisfaction to a great extent and he was anxious to do more for the people. He was particularly happy about the popularity of the schemes he had launched during the period such as Samathuvapuram, farmers' market, comprehensive free health check up for all, Anna Marumalarchi and self-help programme.

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Section  : Regional
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