Centre clears licence to launch "Kalaignar TV": Rajhendharan

Chennai, Jun 1 (UNI) The Union Information and Broadcasting Ministry has given licence for the launch of ''Kalaignar TV'', Raj TV Managing Director M Rajhendharan said today.

Talking to newspersons on the sidelines after joining the ruling DMK at party headquarters, Anna Arivalayam here this evening, he said as already announced, the channel would be launched on August 15.

Refusing to give further details, stating that it was too early, Mr Rajhendharan said Kalaignar TV will be one of the 11 new channels, Raj TV has proposed.

''We have also proposed to launch a cable network,'' he said but declined to give further details.

''Kalaignar TV'' is being launched with the support of the ruling DMK, following its fallout with Sun TV, though Mr Karunanidhi had said the party had nothing to do with Kalaignar TV.

The DMK had to turn to Raj TV after it fell out from Sun TV, after Dinakaran daily, owned by Mr Kalanidhi Maran, Managing Director of Sun TV published a survey on the political heir of Mr Karunanidhi, throwing M K Azhagiri in poor light.

This led to violent incidents in Madurai and the subseqent developments cost Union IT Minister Dayanidhi Mararn of his cabinet berth.

UNI