Vaiko seeks CBI probe into phone tapping incident

Chennai, Apr 15 (UNI) MDMK General Secretary Vaiko, whose party is an ally of the main Opposition AIADMK, today demanded a CBI probe into the alleged tapping of telephone conversations between Chief Secretary L K Tripathy and the DVAC Director with regard to a court case against AIADMK supremo J Jayalalithaa.

In a statement here, he described it as a ''cheap act'', aimed at scuttling the rights of the people. ''Only a CBI probe will bring the truth to light,'' he added.

The phone tapping incident came as a rude shock to all those who believe in democracy, he said, recalling how the then US President Nixon was forced to resign following tapping of the office phone of the Democratic Party there.

Mr Vaiko also described as ''anti-democratic'', Assembly Speaker R Avudaiyappan not allowing permission to the main opposition AIADMK to speak on the issue.

He condemned the suspension of two AIADMK members for the rest of the budget session for obstructing the proceedings of the House.

UNI GV AM KP1949