CM orders withdrawal of cases filed by AIADMK regime

Chennai, May 30 (UNI) Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi today announced withdrawal of more than 300 defamation and TESMA cases, registered against various political parties, media and the government workers by the previous AIADMK regime.

Replying to the debate on the motion of thanks to the Governor for his address, he said orders on withdrawal of 342 cases would be issued today.

He said the previous regime had registered nine defamation cases against the editor, printer and publishers of newspapers and magazines and TESMA cases against political parties and government workers, who went on a strike in July 2002.

Stating that 267 defamation and TESMA cases had been registered against the political parties, Mr Karunanidhi said DMK tops the list with 147 cases, followed by the MDMK, now an ally of the AIADMK, with 87 cases.

He said 14 cases were registered against Congress, seven against PMK, three against DPI (now an ally of AIADMK), two each against BJP, VHP and the press and one against Janata Dal.

The Chief Minister also announced withdrawal of cases registered against the Civil Supplies Department employees.

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