Jaya's criticism of Centre in reservation issue unfair: CM

Chennai, Apr 1 (UNI) Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi today refuted AIADMK General Secretary J Jayalalithaa's allegation that the Centre had not effectively argued the reservation issue before the Supreme Court.

Joining issue with his bete noire, he said it was for the Union Law Minister to respond to the allegation.

However, it would be known that Ms Jayalalithaa's contention was sham if one went through the arguments in the case relating to the Tamil Nadu Act providing 69 per cent reservation to BCs, OBCs, SCs and STs in Government services and educational institutions, he said in a statement here.

It could be inferred from the arguments that the Centre and its counsel had not acted without concern on the quota issue, he added.

Mr Karunanidhi said the Centre had not appointed ''weak counsel'' to argue the 27 per cent quota issue as alleged by Ms Jayalalithaa.

He said Additional Solicitor General Gopal Subramaniam, who successfully argued the Income Tax case against Ms Jayalalithaa on behalf of the Union Government, had appeared for the case.

Claiming that the AIADMK supremo had advocated for exemption of creamy layer from reservation during an interview to a daily in 1990, the Chief Minister recalled that the AIADMK voted against the then V P Singh Government when it moved a confidence motion in Parliament in the aftermath of implementing the Mandal Commission recommendations.

Referring to Ms Jayalalithaa's argument that the 27 per cent quota issue was argued on the basis of an outdated census conducted during the British regime in 1931, Mr Karunanidhi said her contention would only add strength to the Supreme Court's verdict.

From this, politicians and people belonging to the BC and OBC category would understand her ulterior motives, he said.

On Ms Jayalalithaa's claim that the Centre sought her party's guidance in drafting the reservation bill but finally drafted it contrary to the AIADMK's suggestions, he asked why she did not raise voice against the Centre then.

Refuting her allegation that the DMK had done precious little on the reservation issue, Mr Karunanidhi listed out various steps taken by him over the period of years to fulfil the Dravidian movement's principle on reservation.

UNI