Vaiko sends legal notice to Karunanidhi for speech

Chennai, May 2 (UNI) Marumalarchi DMK General Secretary Vaiko has sent a legal notice to DMK President M Karunanidhi seeking an unconditional apology for his alleged defamatory speech against him at Erode on April 30.

On behalf of Mr Vaiko, his advocate G Devadoss sent a notice to Mr Karunanidhi, his son and DMK Deputy General Secretary M K Stalin and Murasoli Selvam, editor and printer of the party organ Murasoli.

A copy of the notice, which was made available to the press here today, charged that Mr Karunanidhi's speech was highly defamatory and lowered Mr Vaiko's reputation.

Mr Devadoss said Kalingapatti, the native village of Mr Vaiko, known for communal harmony, was a model village where there was no hatred between people of different castes. But, Mr Karunanidhi had tarnished the image and reputation of Mr Vaiko.

The alleged defamatory speech was published yesterday in the DMK party organ Murasoli with the sole object and ulterior motive to lower the reputation and tarnish the image of Mr Vaiko, he alleged and said Mr Vaiko had sought Rs one crore as damage.

Mr Vaiko would initiate suitable proceedings, including filing a damage suit for recovery of one crore and would also lodge a criminal complaint against Mr Karunanidhi and others, he said.

Mr Devadoss wanted Mr Karunanidhi to tender an unconditional apology and which would be published not only predominantly in Murasoli but in all leading newspapers within 24 hours from the time of receipt of this notice, and also refrain from making any such baseless and false allegations hereafter.

He said Mr Vaiko would initiate appropriate legal proceedings against Mr Karunanidhi and others if they failed to take notice and hold them liable for all costs and consequences.

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