Karunanidhi rules out retirement from active politics

Yercaud, Tamil Nadu, Sep 15 (UNI) A day after stating that he was yearning for a retired life, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi today ruled out retiring from active politics and public life.

Talking to newspersons here, he said the media had misinterpreted his observation made in the function organised by the Pensioners' Association at Erode and rushed to the conclusion that he was retiring from politics.

He said, while addressing the pensioners, he had only stated as how delightful it would be to lead a retired life and how he envied those leading a happy retired life.

''This has nothing to do with my retirement from public life,'' Mr Karunanidhi said setting at rest speculations that he would seek retirement from active politics.

He also ruled out creating a Deputy Chief Minister post. ''No'' was his clear response when asked whether he proposed to appoint a deputy to him to lessen his administrative burdens.

Asked about fissures in the DMK-led Democratic Progressive Alliance (DPA) in the state and whether the alliance would continue, the DMK leader, claiming that there was no fissures, said he wished the alliance to continue.

On Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) Founder Leader Dr S Ramadoss's remarks that differences in the lower level should be addressed as there could be a mid-term poll for the Lok Sabha, Mr Karunanidhi hoped that minor issues in the alliance would soon be set right.

Answering a question, he said the opposition was trying to create a rift and break the alliance right from the day it was formed. However, the leaders of the alliance parties were careful to preserve the alliance, he added.

On Ramadoss' suggestion of creating a SEZ for Agro Department, he said the government was trying to create SEZs for industries and other departments.

UNI