Sarath Kumar dares MK to seek fresh mandate

Kanniyakumari, May 5: Actor-politician R Sarath Kumar has challenged Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi running the government with the outside support of allies, to seek a fresh mandate.

Addressing a rally of his fledgling All India Samathuva Makkal Katchi (AISMK) at Nagercoil in this district last night, he cited the Chief Minister's statement that PMK founder-leader S Ramadoss, whose party was a key ally of the ruling DMK, was a stumbling block in taking up development projects.

Mr Sarath criticised the Chief Minister for putting forth questions like journalists and answering it himself.

He questioned the stoic silence maintained by Mr Karunanidhi over the ''misuse'' of power by Union Shipping Minister and senior DMK leader T R Baalu in securing a gas contract for a company owned by his family members.

Criticising Mr Karunanidhi's son and Local Administration Minister M K Stalin's remarks that he had taken the plunge into politics with an eye on the Chief Minister's post, Mr Sarath wanted to know with which desire Mr Stalin joined politics.

Taking exception to Dr Ramadoss and Union Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss opposing actors smoking on screen, he asked the Minister why he did not impose any ban on manufacturing cigarettes and beedis even though he had the authority to do so.

UNI