TDP condemns police action on Karunanidhi

By Our Special Correspondent

HYDERABAD, JUNE 30. The TDP has condemned as ``outrageous'' the arrest of the former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, Mr.M. Karunanidhi, in a midnight swoop on his residence and the rude behaviour of the police with him and the Union Minister, Mr. Murasoli Maran.

Addressing a press conference, the TDP general secretary, Mr.S.M. Lal Jan Basha, said the police action was an act of political vendetta. It was a savage attack on an 78-year-old man, who served as Chief Minister of the State for a long period.

The TDP general secretary said the way Mr. Karunanidhi was forcibly dragged out of his house and Mr. Maran roughed up by the police was deplorable.

Mr. Basha demanded that the Centre take the incidents seriously and initiate appropriate action to prevent their recurrence. It was a blot on Indian democracy as the incident was widely telecast all over the world by the BBC. It was also a matter concerning political values. The TDP had always stood for value- based politics.

The TDP general secretary said power was not permanent and the uncivilised act was indefensible. He parried a question on whether his party was in favour of Central invention by way of President's Rule in Tamil Nadu.

Samata asks Centre to act

Our Vijaywada Special Correspondent writes:

The State Samata Party president, Mr. V.V. Krishna Rao, demanded that the Central Government suspend the Jayalalitha Government and take all steps to restore law and order in Tamil Nadu.

In a fax message to the Prime Minister, Mr A.B. Vajpayee, he expressed serious concern over the developments in Tamil Nadu leading to the arrest of Mr Karunanidhi, two Union Ministers -- Mr Murasoli Maran and Mr T.R. Balu -- Mr Stalin, MLA and others. He said that he had been receiving reports that over 15,000 persons were detained and kept in various jails all over Tamil Nadu.

He said the situation was alarming as Ms Jayalalitha ushered in police raj and raids are continuing on the houses of political leaders and presspersons, democratic leaders and ordinary people since this morning. The situation indicated that Ms Jayalalitha and police were resorting to vendetta without any basis.

Mr Krishna Rao condemned the arrests and demanded Ms Jayalalitha to release the arrested leaders immediately. He wanted the Central Government to intervene and restore law and order in the State. He asked the Central Government to keep the Jayalalitha Government under suspension as she became Chief Minister under questionable circumstances and instill confidence in the minds of the people. The Samata Party extended solidarity with DMK and all democratic forces to fight repression through a mass movement.

He urged the Communist Parties and all democratic forces to reconsider their views on Ms Jayalalitha. He also sent a message to the NDA convenor, Mr George Fernandes.

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