"There is nothing wrong in sharing dais with Baba": CM

Chennai, Jan 21 (UNI) ''Being an atheist there is nothing wrong in me sharing dais with Spiritual Leader and Godman Satya Sai Baba as our vision of serving the people are one and the same,'' Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi asserted today.

Mr Karunanidhi was delivering his presidential address at a thanks-giving meeting got up by the Chennai Citizens Conclave to express gratitude to Sri Sai Baba for taking up works to strengthen the Kandaleru-Poondi canal, which brings water to the city under the Telugu-Ganga scheme, at a cost of Rs 200 crore.

''Somebody might express surprise in sharing dais with the Godman. There is no surprise in it. Though I am an atheist, I have come here because I subscribe to the view that service to humanity is service to God,'' he added.

''We are serving the people in our own ways. While he (Baba) is doing in a spiritual way, I am doing it as a Governing person of the State. There is nothing wrong in it (me attending the function)'', Mr Karunanidhi said.

''At a time when there were fake Godmen in the country, Sri Sai Baba was a true spiritual leader. Those who serve the people are equal to God. I believe in this. No one can disagree this view'', he said.

''Whether I accept the God is not the question. We should conduct ourselves in such a manner that God accepts us,'' Mr Karunanidhi said.

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