Karunanidhi disputes poll survey

Chennai, Mar 17 (UNI) Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) president M Karunanidhi today disputed a survey published in a weekly, predicting victory for the ruling AIADMK in the May eight Assembly polls.

In a statement here, he said the survey only reminded him of his student days when his neighbour, who developed animosity towards him, had ''set up'' an astrologer, and made him to tell his parents that he (Mr Karuannidhi) would die in two years.

When the astrologer made the prediction after accepting a ''gift'' from the neighbour, his parents were very much worried, but now it was almost 70 years since the astrologer made the prediction. ''The survey conducted by the weekly is similar to this,'' the DMK leader said.

''Truth will take time to come out. Lies will get exposed fast,'' he added.

Two days ago, the DMK leader had charged the weekly with manipulating public opinion which predicted victory for the AIADMK in the coming elections.

Referring to reports that the state goverment had appealed to the Election Commission to reconsider its decision to transfer City Police Commissioner (CoP) R Nataraj, he said it appeared the government wanted to retain a ''sycophant'' of Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa.

On Marumalarchi DMK (MDMK) leader Vaiko's reported remarks that he had a vested interest in securing his release when he was detained under POTA, Mr Karunanidhi said it only reminded him of a couplet, which cautioned against helping those who were devoid of good qualities.

On MDMK leaders justifying alliance with the AIADMK, stating that there was nothing wrong in joining hands with a party, which provided good governance, the DMK leader said they think detention of their leader under POTA for 19 months is good governance.

UNI WS AK KP1923