TN CM discusses Prez poll, Tamil, fishermen security with PM

New Delhi, May 28 (UNI) Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi today discussed with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh the Presidential poll and the issue of providing protection to Tamil fishermen in the wake of incidents of firings and kidnappings by the Sri Lankan Navy.

Cauvery, Mullaperiyar, use of Tamil in Madras High Court and OBC quota also figured at the talks held at the official residence of Dr Singh at 7 Race Course Road here.

Talking to reporters at the new Tamil Nadu House here after calling on Dr Singh, Mr Karunanidhi said the Prime Minister had asked National Security Adviser M K Narayanan and other PMO officials to discuss the issue of fishermen security with the state government.

Mr Narayanan would meet Mr Karunanidhi tomorrow morning to take necessary measures.

The DMK chief said he presented a copy of the resolution passed by the Tamil Nadu assembly on the OBC quota and sought constitution of a Parliamentary committee on the issue.

Mr Karunanidhi, who discussed the Presidential poll issue also with Congress President Sonia Gandhi, said he would come to the capital again in the first week of june to hold further discussions on the matter.

He said sought the setting up of a new airport at Chennai and the expansion of the present airport at Meenambakkam.

The Centre should take up with the Supreme Court the use of Tamil in Madras High Court, he said.

Asked whether the DMK wanted the post of the Vice President in lieu of its support to the Congress candidate for the post of President, he said he did not make any such demand with Dr Singh or Ms Gandhi.

To a question on Tamil Nadu government's proposal for a four per cent job reservation for minorities, he said he would verify whether Kerala and Karnataka already had similar provisions.

If the two states had such a law, he would within a week approach the state Governor for issue of an ordinance.

On Cauvery, Mr Karunanidhi said he wanted the Centre's intervention to ensure that Karnataka respected the orders of the Supreme Court.

He said he also took up the issue of inter-linking of peninsular rivers to which the Prime Minister responded, stating that efforts were already on.

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