CM asks people to decide 'if the govt should continue or not'

Cuddalore, Aug 30 (UNI) Apparently upset with hindrances being posed by the allies and the opposition, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi today asked the people to decide whether the government should continue or not.

Addressing an official function after inaugurating a hospital and distributing free television sets, the Dravidian patriarch said he was committed to the welfare of the people and it was for them to protect or not protat the government.

As he was following the foot steps of rationalist leader Periyar E V Ramasamy and his mentor late Chief Minister C N Annadurai, he would remain unperturbed even when he was ridiculed.

Pointing out that he hailed from the backward class community, the Chief Minister, in an emotional speech, said he was willing to serve the people and help the poor.

The poor and the downtrodden were greatly benefitted by the government as the TV sets and gas stoves distributed free of cost by the government bore testimony to it, he said.

Stating that the government proposed to start six Arts Colleges and 25 Engineering Colleges, Mr Karunanidhi, conceded PMK Legislator Velmuguran's demand and announced that the government would start three engineering colleges in Punruti, Tindivanam and Virudhunagar.

The Chief Minister today inaugurated the 100-bedded wing in the Cuddalore Government Hospital, built at a cost of Rs two crore.

At an official function held in this port town, he also distributed 10,000 free CTV sets and 300 gas stoves to the poor.

He also inaugurated five Adi Dravidar hostels and eight Backward Classes Welfare hostels, each built at a cost of Rs 31.5 lakh, and a synthetic tennis court laid at a cost of Rs 16 lakh at the Anna Stadium.

Mr Karunanidhi also laid the foundation stone for a court complex at Panruti, to be constructed at a cost of Rs 2.28 crore and for five major bridges at Thittakudi, Murugankudi, Gundu Uppalavadi, Killai and Uchimedu to be built at a total cost of Rs 11.95 crore.

Police had made elaborate security arrangements for the function.

UNI