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'Ploy' to destroy me, says Jaya as TNEB threatens to file defamation case

The Tamil Nadu Electricity Board will file a defamation case against All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazagham general secretary J Jayalalitha as she did not retract her allegation that the TNEB had availed loans from the International Monetary Fund by mortgaging its assets to clear wage arrears and bonus of its employees.

Even as Tamil Nadu Electricity Minister Arcot N Veerasamy disclosed this to the media, the AIADMK leader indicated that she had made the charge only on the basis of reports reaching her.

Jayalalitha described the move as a "ploy" to destroy her and the AIADMK. In a democratic set-up the opposition party was duty bound to bring to the people's attention whatever facts that had came to its notice, she added.

Veerasamy said the decision to file the case followed Chief Minister M Karunanidhi's statement at a media conference on Monday last, in this regard.

He also denied Jayalalitha's charge that he had admitted to availing loans for the TNEB to clear wage arrears. The TNEB did not possess any bonds meant for availing loans from banks. If it wanted to raise funds, it would do so from the public and private institutions with the permission of the state government. This practice was in vogue irrespective of the party in power.

The TNEB had been availing loans from the Life Insurance Corporation for implementing projects and purchasing electrical equipment since 1965. Similar loans had been availed during the previous AIADMK regime, he pointed out.

UNI

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