Case against Kalimuthu affected his health: Vaiko

Chennai, Nov 8 (UNI) MDMK General Secretary Vaiko today alleged that a case 'foisted' by the DMK Government against former Assembly Speaker and AIADMK Presidium Chairman K Kalimuthu, who passed away at a private hosptial here, led to deterioration of his health.

In a condolence message here, he said Mr Kalimuthu, who fell ill in March last, was fast recovering after treatment and was about to involve himself in active politics.

But the corruption case filed against him by the DMK Government ''without any sense of humanity'' subjected the veteran leader to mental depression and agony. Only due to this, his health deteriorated and he slipped into a coma, Mr Vaiko alleged.

The case, alleging malpractices in the award of contracts to run canteens within the campus of the MLAs hostel, was slapped against Mr Kalimuthu after the DMK Government took over the reins in May last, he said.

Recalling his friendship with Mr Kalimuthu right from student days, he said the relationship grew from strength to strength despite political differences.

He transcended political boundaries and won everyone's heart while serving in various capacities in his long political career, he said.

Dedicating himself to Dravidian ideology, Mr Kalimuthu took part in the anti-Hindi agitation in 1965 and served a sentence.

A great Tamil scholar, Mr Kalimuthu was an unparalleled orator and a humble person, Mr Vaiko said.

Meanwhile, an MDMK release said a protest demonstration, scheduled to be held tomorrow, to condemn the ''murder of democracy'' in the recently-held local body elections, stood cancelled in view of Mr Kalimuthu's death.

Mr Vaiko would attend Mr Kalimuthu's funeral his native village Ramudevanpatti tomorrow, the release added.

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