TN CM condemns violence, says no dynastic succession in DMK

Chennai, May 9 (UNI) Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi today strongly condemned the violent incidents triggered by an irate mob, including loyalists of his son M K Azhagir, protesting against a report published by a Tamil daily based on a survey on the line of succession in the ruling DMK.

In a statement here Mr Karunanidhi asserted that there was no room for any dynastic succession in the party.

He also declared that stern action would be taken against those involved, whoever they may be.

Expressing deep anguish over the killing of the staff members of the the daily ''Dinakaran'', Mr Karunanidhi also announced a solatium of Rs two lakh, each to the famly of the victims, who died in the ransacking and arson in the newspaper office.

He said the survey published in the daily on the lines of succession had cost three valuable lives and added that no amount of condolence can be any comfort to the distraught families of the victims.

Noting that various journalists' bodies had condemned the attack on the daily, he said as a strong believer in democracy and press freedom, he would never accept attack on the media.

He said the incident deserved to be condemned.

Mr Karunanidhi said he had repeatedly been saying that the DMK follows a democratic set up and no one would be elected to any post by way of dynasty. ''Hence, no one should attempt to express views on the basis of dynasty. Even if they did so, no one should take it seriously and trigger violence,'' he added.

UNI