TN chief minister flays BJP

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi on Friday described as "unfortunate" the BJP's demand for dismissal of the DMK government in Tamil Nadu, in the wake of attacks on BJP offices in the state allegedly by DMK workers following his comments on the existence of Lord Ram.

Speaking to reporters, he said it was surprising to note that a senior statesman like L K Advani was making such "false" statements.

"Already 10 persons, who pelted stones at the BJP office in Chennai, have been arrested," he said. The leader said, "The BJP men - ahimsa murthies, who rule Gujarat have no locus standi to come out with a statement like that," he said.

Asked about the possibility of mid-term polls to the Lok Sabha, he said there were no chances now for it now, but that the party would be ready for it.

"If at all the polls take place, the DMK, like any other political party, will be ready for it," he said. He declined to reply to a question on the DMK's stand on the Indo-US nuclear deal, saying it was not the time or place to deliberate on this issue.

On the Madras High Court imposing certain conditions with regard to the October 1 bandh in Tamil Nadu called by DMK and its allies, he said the bandh call was not given by the government, but by like-minded political parties, demanding implementation of a 'noble' project like the Sethu Samudram.

He defended the Communist Party of India's announcement of taking up a nationwide campaign on price rise and the Centre's "failure" to contain inflation and said it was not addressed to Tamil Nadu, where prices of  essential commodities were under control, due to streamlining of the public distribution system.