Extend urban amenities to rural areas: Karunanidhi

Chennai, Mar 25: DMK President and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi has criticised his key ally, PMK founder-leader S Ramadoss for his opposition to developing satellite towns and SEZs, and favoured extending urban amenities to rural areas.

Speaking after releasing three volumes of the collected works of M Singaravelu, a doyen of the Communist movement in south India, last evening, Mr Karunanidhi flayed the attitude of some political parties, which, in the name of a pro-rural stance, were not in favour of providing urban amenities in rural areas.

''The facilities enjoyed by people in urban areas should reach all the villages. The stand of certain political parties that they could serve the villagers only if rural areas remained as they are is unacceptable,'' he said, referring to Dr Ramadoss's opposition to development of satellite towns, SEZs and airport expansion.

''Through his powerful writings, Singaravelu had called for taking urban facilities to the villagers.'' Mr Karunanidhi also stressed the need for spreading Singaravelu's progressive ideas, such as socialism, working for people's rights and fight against superstition.

''As a first step, these ideas should be disseminated among the youth and students,'' he added.

UNI