Barnala showers encomiums on Karunanidhi

Chennai, May 11 (UNI) Tamil Nadu Governor S S Barnala today showered praise on Chief Minister M Karunanidhi, describing him as ''people's Chief Minister'', while addressing the State Assembly to commemorate the Dravidian patriarch's golden jubilee in the Legislature.

Pointing out that Mr Karunanidhi was the only leader in the country to celebrate golden jubilee for completing 50 years in the Legislature, he said ''Dr Kalaignar has won the hearts of the people of Tamil Nadu, especially the poor and downtrodden. He is called people's Chief Minister.'' ''We have seen many types of golden jubilee celebrations. The only person in India who has seen golden jubilee in Legislature through 50 years of democracy is Kalaignar. This goes to prove that Kalaignar is a great genius as far as the philosophy of democracy is concerned,'' the Governor said.

His novel schemes like beggars' rehabilitation programme, introduction of cycle rickshaws instead of hand rickshaws, slum clearance, marriage assistance scheme, Samathuvapuram, Uzhavar Sandhai, distribution of wastelands to landless farmers, free colour TVs and gas connection to the poor and downtrodden and rice at a subsidised price of Rs two per kg spoke volumes about his dedicated service for the upliftment of the poor, he said.

UNI