Elected Govt cannot be removed on SC recommendations:Minister

Chennai, Oct 1 (UNI) Tamil Nadu Electricity Minister and DMK Treasurer Arcot N Veerasamy today said a democratically elected Government could not be dismissed on the basis of the Supreme Court recommendations.

Winding up the day-day long fast organised by the DMK-led DPA here for speedy implementation of Sethusamudhram Shipping Canal Project (SSCP), he said ''there was no history of an elected Government being dismissed by the Centre on the recommendations of the apex court''.

Referring to the dismissal of the DMK Government in 1991 by the then Prime Minister Chandra Sekhar, he said dismissing an elected Government was not an easy task.

''Only the union cabinet can take such a decision and a Government cannot be dismissed on the directions of the Supreme Court'', he added.

''In the event of Supreme Court making such recommendations, President Prathiba Patil will study it carefully before taking any decision. AICC President and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh respect Chief Minister and DMK President M Karunanidhi, hold him in high esteem and will not dismiss the Government'', he added.

''Even if United Nations Council (UN) makes such recommendations, the Government cannot be dismissed'', he added.

Stating that Mr Karunanidhi always respected the judiciary and believe in democracy, Mr Veerasamy said the Chief Minister reinstated the road transport workers following the Supreme Court directive, which was not respected by former Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa.

Pointing out that States like Karnataka and Kerala were not honouring the Supreme Court verdicts on the Cauvery and Mullaiperiyar issues respectively, he said since Mr Karunanidhi had high regard for the judiciary he had decided to observe a fast all over the State after the apex court banned the proposed bandh today.

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