MK justifies his appeal to partymen not to celebrate his b'day

Chennai, May 14 (UNI) Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK patriarch M Karunanidhi today justified his appeal to the partymen not to celebrate his birthday on June three.

In a statement here, he said he was upset over the Sethusamudram Shipping Channel Project (SSCP), advocated by leaders like Periyar E V Ramasamy, late Chief Ministers C N Annadurai and K Kamaraj, was hanging in balance.

He said he was also sad that the terrorism was on the rise posing a grave threat to people.

''Gone are the days when people lived in peace. As terrorism raised its ugly head, the people and children are living in constant fear amidst rain of bombs,'' he added.

Mr Karunanidhi also expressed regret that those who had joined hands to provide a coalition government, were now digging the grave, while being friendly.

As long as those who are with him remained selfless and come forward to sacrifice their lives for the welfare of the nation, there was no point in celebrating a birthday.

''It only frustrates me that when I am faced with all such kind of problems, why should I celebrate the birthday,'' he said, adding that these were the main reasons for his appeal to partymen not to celebrate his birthday.

Mr Karunanidi, who turns 85 on June three, yesterday appealed to the partymen and friends to avoid meeting him in person to wish him on the occasion.

He said the whole of that week he would be away in view of his mental and physical strain.

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