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N Sathiya Moorthy in Chennai
The Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam on Saturday decided to wait for the charge sheet against detained chief Vaiko to be filed before deciding whether to challenge it or not.
This is a change from the party's earlier position not to challenge the arrest of Vaiko under Prevention of Terrorism Act.
Talking to newsmen in Chennai after a meeting of the party's high-power committee, MDMK presidium chairman L Ganesan said their opposition was only to the 'misuse' of POTA, and not to the Act itself.
"As such, we will consider our options after the charge sheet is filed," he said.
Accompanied by MDMK's two Union Ministers, M Kannappan and 'Ginjee' N Ramachandran, Ganesan was referring to the possibility of challenging the charge sheet on facts than questioning POTA itself.
Kannappan, who is also the party treasurer, said, "The charge against Vaiko is wrong and politically motivated. We will prove this in the court when the charge sheet is filed."
Vaiko and eight other MDMK leaders detained under POTA are due to be produced before the first class judicial magistrate's court, Thirumangalam, on August 7.
While the Tamil Nadu government has notified the sessions judge at Poonamallee as the special court under POTA, the Madras high court is yet to name a presiding officer for the court. Under POTA, a charge sheet needs to be filed before a special judge.
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