Dharna by PMK legislators peeves Karunanidhi

Chennai, Mar 24: Peeved over the 'sit-in' by legislators of Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) in front of his chamber yesterday, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi today cautioned it would set wrong precedents. In a statement here, Mr Karunanidhi, who was also heading the DMK-led Democratic Progressive Alliance in which the PMK was one of the constituents, said he was embarrassed that PMK MLAs brought into his chamber placards with slogans.

Immediately after state Finance Minister K Anbazhagan presented the budget yesterday, the PMK MLAs, led by party president and floor leader in the House G K Mani, rushed to the chamber of the Chief Minister and sat in front of it. They condemned DMK platform speaker Vetrikondan's ''slanderous remarks'' against PMK founder S Ramadoss.

Mr Vetrikondan, in an interview to a Tamil weekly, had allegedly called Dr Ramadoss a political blackmailer for his recent criticisms of the DMK Government on various issues.

Meanwhile, expressing his anguish the Chief Minister said he was deeply pained by Mr Vetrikondan's choice of words in the interview, which he said has violated DMK's principles of dignity and discipline.

''I've offered an explanation and expressed my regret to the PMK MLAs who came to complain to me,'' he added.

''As the leader of DPA, I've remained silent in order to preserve the alliance, without adopting confrontationist approach with any of the parties which have criticised the DMK and its Government,'' the Chief Minister said. Expressing his ''embarrasment'' over yesterday's incident, the Chief Minister said the PMK MLAs should realise that such conduct by legislators would set a precedent.

''This doesn't mean that I am justifying Mr Vetrikondan's remarks in the interview,'' he added.

With charges and counter-charges, the relations between the two allies continue to appear stressed though the PMK had been reiterating its commitment TO support the Government for the full term.

The ruling DMK, which had a strength of 96 MLAs in the 234-member House, was 22 short of simple majority and was being given outside support by its allies -- the Congress, the PMK and the Left parties.

UNI