BJP asks Centre to take 'action' against DMK Govt

Hyderabad, Oct 1 (UNI) Alleging breakdown of constitutional machinery in Tamil Nadu, former BJP president M Venkaiah Naidu today demanded that the Union Government ''act'' against the DMK Government for the alleged ''violation'' of the Supreme Court directive.

Talking to newspersons here, he said a ''bandh-like situation'' prevailed in Tamil Nadu today despite a clear-cut direction from the Apex court to the state Chief Secretary to ensure that the bandh, called by ruling DMK-led DPA, was not enforced.

How could the UPA Government remain a ''mute spectator, when Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi, himself holding a constitutional position, ''was going to streets and failing to ensure normal life in the State,'' he questioned.

Mr Naidu said it was not proper on the part of the DMK to organise a protest either against the Supreme Court or the ''action or inaction'' of the UPA Government, as the DMK itself was a constituent in the ruling coalition.

He warned Union Shipping Minister T R Baalu that ''there will be a political realignment at the Centre if he did not change the alignment of the Sethusamudram project''.

The BJP leader said the party would go ahead with its nation-wide protest tomorrow against the Congress-led UPA maintaining a ''stoic silence'' over the alleged ''insulting'' remarks made by Mr Karunanidhi against Lord Ram.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh should tender an apology to the nation and the DMK Chief should withdraw his ''uncharitable'' remarks against Lord Ram, he said.

Mr Naidu wanted to know from Mr Karunanidhi whether he believed that Kannagi, heroine of epic 'Silapathikaram'', torched the Pandya capital of Madurai by virtue of her chastity.

The BJP did not question the historicity of Kanagi, he said adding that he did not question either the view that the Big temple in Thanjavur had been built by Chola King Rajaraja Cholan. On the other hand, it was highly irresponsible on the part of Mr Karunanidhi to ask where did Lord Ram underwent his engineering course, he said.

UNI