Rejected parties attempt to form third front: PMK

Villuppuram, Tamil Nadu, June 7: Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) founder-leader Dr S Ramadoss today ridiculed the attempt by seven regional parties to forge a third front, terming them as ''parties rejected by the masses''.

''The parties who bit the dust at the hustings have come together to form a third front. But this will not work. The idea worked under the leadership of former Prime Minister V P Singh as he was a leader and a big force,'' he told newspersons at his Thailapuram residence here.

Demanding that the Tamil Nadu Government bring in a law to prevent commercialisation of education, Dr Ramadoss, whose PMK is a key ally of the DMK Government in the state, said education, right from elementary level to higher education, was in the hands of businessmen who threaten the governments and the judiciary to get their works done. The varsities get deemed university status and deny seats to poor students, he added.

The Education Ministry should take adequate measures to stop this ''dacoity'', he urged, warning that otherwise the PMK would embark on an agitation against the practice.

Reiterating his opposition to the entry of MNCs and corporates in retail trade, Dr Ramadoss said CPI(M) General Secretary Prakash Karat had written a letter to him, expressing support to the party's stir.

''We will discuss the issue with our MPs and MLAs. We are ready to protest together with the Left parties,'' he added.

Coming down heavily on Kerala Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan for proposing construction of a new dam instead of raising the height of Mullaiperiyar dam beyond 136 ft, he said it was only a diversionary tactic. Even if there was any damage to the Mullaiperiyar dam, water could be stored at the Idukki dam, which had a capacity of 70 tmc ft. The five basin districts of Kerala would not be washed away as feared by the Chief Minister, he said.

UNI