Karunanidhi should resign following SC strictures: Vaiko

Cuddalore, Tamil Nadu, Oct 1 (UNI) Asking Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi to step down from office in wake of the Supreme Court passing strictures against the DMK bandh, MDMK General Secretary Vaiko today termed ''needless'' the fast being observed by the DPA to demand the speedy implementation of the Sethusamudram Shipping Channel Project (SSCP).

''The Supreme Court has observed that there is a total breakdown of the Constitutional machinery in the State. It is totally unheard of in the history of Tamil Nadu. Hence, Mr Karunanidhi has no locus standi to occupy the august post. He should immediately come forward to resign,'' he told newspersons here.

Mr Vaiko wondered over the need for an agitation when the DMK was one of the key allies of the UPA Government at the Centre.

''The DMK is part of the Union Government. They can exert pressure on the Centre (to expedite the project). Instead, airing critical remarks against Lord Ram and hurting the sentiments of Hindus was unnecessary,'' the MDMK leader said, adding that Mr Karunanidhi had organised the agitation to divert the issue and boast about people's support to him and his stand.

The general public was being put to untold hardship, with the DMK cadre threatening shops and business establishments to down shutters and not allowing public transport to operate their services, despite the apex court staying the bandh, he said.

When the AIADMK brought to its notice that a bandh was being observed in the State despite its order, the Supreme Court took serious note of the ''disobedience'' of its order and warned that ''it amounted to nothing but contempt of court''. Going ahead with the bandh call amounted to complete breakdown of constitutional machinery in Tamil Nadu and the UPA Government should not shy away from imposing President's rule in the State, the court said.

UNI