'Calumny as CM's bluff has been called'

By Our Special Correspondent

CHENNAI, JUNE 29. Stung by the criticism that he was instigating State-wide protests by mediapersons against the arrest of a Sun TV reporter, the DMK president, Mr. M. Karunanidhi, today said the Chief Minister, Ms. Jayalalithaa, was engaging in such a campaign as people had called ``her bluff on the alleged rotten rice scam''.

Reacting to presspersons' queries here about the charge made by the Chief Minister that he was behind the protests, Mr. Karunanidhi said ''Ms Jayalalithaa has always thrived by uttering falsehood. This is another instance.`` Mr. K. Ponmudi, as local MLA had gone to a TNCSC godown at Villupuram to verify the charges about the rotten rice. He was concerned that people in his constituency would raise the issue. Only after he went to the godown, did he realise that there was no rotten rice stored there. Presspersons who accompanied him and the Sun TV reporter recorded the event. This led people to realise the truth and that Ms. Jayalaithaa's campaign was false. Irritated by the turn of events, ''Ms. Jayalalitha made the charge that all this was Karunanidhi's work``.

When his attention was drawn to reports in Jaya TV that Mr. Karunanidhi had uttered falsehood on the Krishna water issue, the DMK president said Chennai was receiving Krishna water even after the May 10 Assembly elections and the city did not experience water scarcity. Only some time after the election, did the scarcity arise.

Only after the NDA partners made a joint plea and the City Mayor wrote to the A.P. Chief Minister, did Ms. Jayalalithaa make a similar plea as she could not bear the pressure from the people. A graceful Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister agreed to release more Krishna water.

`Withdraw cases'

The Puthiya Tamizhagam president, Dr. K. Krishnasamy, in a statement, demanded the immediate withdrawal of the case against former Minister, Mr. K. Ponmudi and the the TV channel reporter, Mr. Suresh.

In a statement, the Makkal Tamil Desam Katchi president, Mr. S. Kannappan, urged the Government to drop all charges against the reporter.

The Chennai Press Club hailed the release of the TV journalist on unconditional bail as a ''victory`` for press solidarity. It urged the government to drop the charges against Mr. Suresh.

Kalanithi Maran seeks security

The Chairman and Managing Director of SUN TV, Mr. Kalanithi Maran, today sought adequate security for Sun TV office and his family members, after threatening calls were received.

In a letter to the Home Secretary, he said he had been receiving numerous anonymous calls, as a consequence of the recent developments.

``As a responsible member of the media, we firmly believe in the freedom of the Press. Championing such a cause has provoked certain anti-social and mischievous elements to react in the above manner,'' he said in his letter.

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