Anti-Sethu activists against TN's interests: CM

Chennai, May 17: DMK President and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi charged those opposing the Sethusamudram Shipping Canal Project (SSCP) with acting against the state's interests as the project would bring economic prosperity to Tamil Nadu and make India a super power.

Speaking at a public meeting organised by the Sethusamudram Project Protection Committee here last night Mr Karunanidhi described those opposed to the project in the name of 'Idhikasa' as anti-nationals.

''It is strange those who supported the project earlier are now against it. It is because they cannot tolerate the credit the project will bring to the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam,'' he claimed.

The present alignment for the SSCP was recommended by the National Environmental and Engineering Institute (NEERI) when the National Democratic Alliance Government, headed by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), was ruling the Centre.

The NEERI recommended the canal could be laid by removing the Adam's Bridge as this alignment would be environmentally safe and not affect marine species.

He categorically said it was the Adam's Bridge which was now being called the Ramar Setu. He claimed there was no such bridge as Ramar Setu. It existed only in the imagination of the people.

Mr Karunanidhi alleged some political parties in the state were trying to sabotage the project in the name of Rama. The people of the state would not pardon them,he added.

Recalling the 2001 election manifesto of the Opposition AIADMK in which it had appealed to the Centre to implement the project by removing the Adam's Bridge, Mr Karunanidhi said now they were opposing the SSCP for gaining political mileage. He wanted similar meetings to be conducted throughout the state with the alliance parties actively supporting them. ''We are not enemies of Ramar.But are being portrayed as enemies. Some keep opposing the SSCP in the name of god, religion and epics,'' he added reiterating ''we will implement the SSCP at any cost.'' In his address, Tamil Nadu Congress Committee (TNCC) President M Krishnasswamy said there was nothing wrong in removing a bridge for the benefit of the people.

Pattali Makkal Katchi President G K Mani was among a host of political leaders who addressed the meeting in support of the SSCP.

In a statement here today, Hindu Munnani Founder-Convenor R Ramagopalan said Mr Karunanidhi's remark on Sethu Bridge had hurt the sentiments of Hindus.

The history shows several attempts were made to destroy this historic and holy bridge, but such persons were destroyed.

He warned it would be endangered both the Central and state governments if any attempt was made to destroy the Sethu Bridge.

UNI