Karunanidhi accuses Jaya of trying hoodwink Muslim community

Chennai, Sep 27 (UNI) Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi today accused AIADMK General Secretary J Jayalalithaa of trying to hoodwink the Muslim community with an eye on the coming Lok Sabha elections.

Reacting to Ms Jayalalithaa's remarks that AIADMK was the only party that ensured full protection to the Muslim community and they should continue to show their affection to the party, Mr Karunanidhi said this was nothing but an attempt to appease the Muslims to get their votes in the coming Lok Sabha elections.

Ms Jayalalithaa, who spoke at an Iftar party she hosted here last evening assured Muslims that her party would respect the rights and protect their interests. She had also claimed that the state never witnessed communal riots, when she was at the helm of affairs.

Answering a set of questions, Mr Karunanidhi said the Muslims were well aware as to how the AIADMK leader had reacted to their demand for exclusive reservation and how she had supported the 'Kar Seva', which led to the demolition of Babri Masjid.

There was not a single minister from the Muslim community in Ms Jayalalithaa's previous cabinet, whereas he had appointed two Muslim brethrens in his present cabinet, Mr Karunanidi said, adding, it was during the DMK regime, the Economic Development Council for Minorities, Minorities' Welfare Commission and Urdu Academy were constituted.

The DMK government has also included the Urdu speaking Muslims in the list of Backward Classes, he said, adding, Ms Jayalalithaa's ''anti-conversion'' law was enough to show her love and affection towards the Muslims.

The Muslims also knew as who had raised their voice against the Shariyat Act and who (Ms Jayalalithaa) had cancelled the government declared by the DMK government on the occasion of Milad-Nabi.

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