CPI(M) urges DMK to convene Assembly

Chennai, Aug 2 (UNI) The Tamil Nadu unit of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) today urged the DMK government to convene the Assembly to discuss the controversial Titanium dioxide project in view of conflicting reports.

CPI(M) State Secretary N Varadarajan, in a statement here, said as there were charges and counter charges between the government and the opposition AIADMK with regard to the project, the government should convene the Assembly and pave way for an open debate on the issue.

The Left party leader also demanded that the government disclose to the public details of the MoU signed with Tata Steel for the implementation of the project by the previous AIADMK and the present DMK governments.

Welcoming the DMK government's decision to implement the project only after ascertaining the views of the local people in Tuticorin and Tirunelveli districts, Mr Varadarajan said the government should make available the official records to the legislature party leaders through the Assembly Speaker to enable them to get an idea about the project.

He said Chief Minister M Karunanidhi had said the previous AIADMK government had signed an MoU with Tata Steel, based on which the company had conducted a feasibility study, covering 80 sqkm in the two districts.

Pointing out that Ms Jayalalithaa had taken exception to this and threatened to move the court and Mr Karunanidhi had stated that he was ready to meet her in the court, Mr Varadarajan said it was unfortunate that the issue, concerning the people, had triggered a war of attrition between the government and the AIADMK.

UNI