Communal forces disrupting SSCP: TN CM

Chennai, May 4 (UNI) Alleging that communal forces from the North were trying to disrupt the Sethusamudram Shipping Channel Project (SSCP), Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi today requested them to keep away and pave way for its implementation.

Replying to a special call attention motion tabled by various parties in the State Assembly, he said these forces, which created a blood bath in the country by demolishing the Babri Masjid in the name of Ram temple, were trying to enact a similar situation in Tamil Nadu in the name of Ramar Bridge in order to stall the prestigious project.

Detailing various advantages of the project, he said a majority of the forces, which were trying to create trouble if the bridge was demolished, were from North India. They could not digest Tamil Nadu becoming a wealthy state following the implementation of the SSCP.

Referring to Leader of the Opposition and AIADMK Supremo J Jayalalithaa's remarks that her party would initiate legal proceedings if the Ramar bridge was demolished, Mr Karunanidhi asked how one could comb hair without applying oil.

''The same Jayalalithaa who claimed that she alone was responsible for implementation of the SSCP, is now talking in such a way that she will be responsible for stalling the project'', he added.

The Chief Minister also read out a portion of the AIADMK's election manifesto of 2001 and said the party had then supported the SSCP but was opposing it now saying that 'Ramar bridge would be destroyed by the SSCP.' Mr Karunanidhi said he did not want to delve more on it as the issue was debated in Parliament yesterday and the matter was also sub judice.

UNI